14th Scripps National Spelling Bee explained

The 14th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 31, 1938.^[1] Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.

The winner was 12-year-old Marian Richardson, who attended a one-room schoolhouse in Floyd County, Indiana, correctly spelling the word sanitarium. Jean Pierce of Kenmore, New York placed second after failing to correctly spell pronunciation.^{[2] [3]}

Winner Marian Richardson, later Byrnes, became an environmental activist in Chicago, and died on May 20, 2010.^[4]

Notes and References

1. (31 May 1938). Spelling Bee Finals: 22 Boys and Girls Compete for $1750 Cash Prizes, The New York Sun
2. [List of National Spelling Bee Champions]
3. (1 June 1938). Farm Girl Wins Spelling Bee, Lawrence Journal-World
4. Eldeib, Duaa. (30 May 2010). Southeast Side activist fought for environment, Chicago Tribune