Boston-born Baptist minister and academic (1808–1895) best known as the lyricist of “America” (“My Country ’Tis of Thee”), written while he was a student at Andover Theological Seminary. Smith’s stirring patriotic song, set to the same melody as the British national anthem (“God Save the Queen”), served as a de facto national anthem for much of the 19th century. Signed book: Poems of Home and Country. “Limited edition deluxe” of 250 copies. NY: Silver, Burdett and Co., 1895. Hardcover, 6 x 9, 381 pages. Signed in ink on the limitation page “Samuel Francis Smith” and inscribed on the facing page “To my Nephew Wm. A. Smith.” In very good condition, with soiling and rubbing to covers, tears to hinges, a touch of mild soiling to interior, and last few pages roughly opened (not affecting any text). R&R COA.
