Educator and poet (1859–1929) best known for the lyrics to the iconic patriotic song “America the Beautiful.” ALS, one page, 8.5 x 11, Wellesley College letterhead, October 17, 1921. Letter to Mr. Moors regarding support for former president Woodrow Wilson. In part: “My warmest sympathy is with the Woodrow Wilson Foundation plan. I enclose two lists of names from our college faculty…The Dana Hall School in Wellesley has ardent champions of Mr. Wilson in its principals, Miss Helen Temple Cooke…would be a good worker too. She could give you the names of other Wilson supporters in her faculty. The Walnut Hill School of Natick has a principal, Miss Charlotte F. Conant, who votes for Cox on the League of Nations issue. Mr. Charles H. Woodbury, the well known marine painter…is a keen defender of Mr. Wilson’s ideals, and could perhaps give you names of artists and other Wilsonites of his acquaintance…An Episcopal clergyman of Allston, Rev. Charles W. Duffield…and his wife are earnest Wilsonians.” Pencil notations to top corners, portions of text and names underlined in red pencil, and light toning along edges, otherwise fine condition.
Bates was a staunch supporter of Wilson’s foundation and his goal of world peace. The president’s fight had suffered some crucial blows by 1921, most notably the failure of the U.S. to join the League of Nations—an organization that Wilson himself had outlined following the end of World War I, as well as a 1919 stroke that left him largely incapacitated. His ill heath, which continued after he left office, meant that advocates such as Bates would take up the cause. To that end, on January 1, 1922, the National Committee of the Woodrow Wilson Foundation began a campaign to raise at least $1 million to fund an endowment aimed at world peace. Here, Bates does all she can to solicit donations…a bit of old-fashioned arm-twisting, in one case suggesting “a keen defender of Mr. Wilson’s ideals” who “could perhaps give you names of artists and other Wilsonites of his acquaintance.” A determined pitch made by the poet who sought to keep America not only beautiful, but peaceful. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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