Katharine Lee Bates By bmbrickert1 Aug 12, 1859 Katharine Lee Bates was born Jan 1, 1861 colorado be came a taritory of the united states Jan 1, 1876 cathrine entered wellesly college to study english literature colorado became the 38th state Jan 1, 1880 kathrine graduated from college Jan 1, 1882 samul ward wrote the tune materna later used to sing america the beautiful May 7, 1893 kathrine taught summer school at colorado collage Jan 1, 1895 kathrine 's poem was published in the congregationalist magazine Jan 1, 1904 america the beauttiful was set to music written by samuel ward Jan 1, 1925 kathrine retired from collage Jan 1, 2015 kathrine died at the age of 70