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. AQS, signed “S. Fr. Smith,” on a 4 x 2.5 off-white sheet. In full: “My country—’tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing”; and an ink signature, “S. Fr. Smith, Newton Centre, Mass,” on an off-white slip affixed below an engraved portrait of Smith. Both are matted and framed with a Boston Herald article on Smith’s composition to an overall size of 14.5 x 19. In fine condition. RR Auction COA.
