| 3rd National Spelling Bee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | June 23, 1927 |
| Location | National Museum, Washington, D.C. |
| Winner | Dean Lucas |
| Age | 13 |
| Residence | West Salem, Ohio |
| Sponsor | Akron Beacon Journal |
| Sponsor location | Akron, Ohio |
| No. of contestants | 17[1] |
| Pronouncer | George S. Wills[2] |
| Preceded by | 2nd Scripps National Spelling Bee |
| Followed by | 4th Scripps National Spelling Bee |
The 3rd National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on June 23, 1927, hosted by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The winner was 13-year-old Dean Lucas of West Salem, Ohio (some sources say nearby Congress, Ohio, where he attended school), with the word abrogate.[3] Ralph Keenan, 13, of Waukon, Iowa placed second (misspelling "abrogate" as "abregate"), and Minerva Ressler, 12, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania was third.[1][4][5] It was Lucas' second appearance at the bee.[6]
There were 17 contestants this year, 13 girls and 4 boys, between ages 10 and 15, and the bee lasted three hours.[1] The first place prize was $1000, with $500 for second, and $250 for third.[1]
- ^ a b c d (24 June 1927). Ohio Boy Wins Spelling Bee At Washington, The Miami News
- ^ (17 May 1953). Spelling Bee Still Growing - Professor Recalls Opening Contest, Eugene Register-Guard (Associated Press)
- ^ Dyer, Bob (27 May 2017). Spelling bee misspells its own history, Akron Beacon Journal
- ^ (6 July 1927). Words, Miami News (noting that Lucas hailed from Wayne County, Ohio)
- ^ (15 July 1927). "Abrogate", Milwaukee Sentinel
- ^ (19 July 1927). At Night He Studied Just Spelling(?), Emporia Gazette (subscription required)