# 859-93 - 1940 Famous Americans, collection of 35 stamps

The 1940 Famous Americans Stamp Series is a special commemorative collection issued by the US Post Office to honor influential American figures across various fields. This iconic series includes 35 stamps divided into seven categories, each featuring five individuals known for their significant contributions to American history and culture. Here’s a closer look at each category and its honorees:

• Authors - Celebrating literary icons whose works left a lasting impact on American culture:
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson - Philosopher and poet who championed transcendentalism.
  • Louisa May Alcott - Beloved author of Little Women.
  • James Fenimore Cooper - Known for The Last of the Mohicans.
  • Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) - Satirist and humorist, famous for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
  • Washington Irving - Writer of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
    

• Poets - Honoring poets who defined American literature with timeless works:
  
  • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Known for Paul Revere’s Ride and The Song of Hiawatha.
  • John Greenleaf Whittier - Abolitionist and poet of social conscience.
  • James Whitcomb Riley - Known as the “Hoosier Poet.”
  • Edgar Allan Poe - Master of macabre tales and poems like The Raven.
  • Sidney Lanier - Poet and musician who celebrated Southern life.

• 3. Educators - Recognizing leaders in education and social reform:
  
  • Horace Mann - Pioneer of American public education.
  • Mark Hopkins - Prominent educator and theologian.
  • Booker T. Washington - Influential African American educator and the first Black American featured on a US stamp.
  • Frances E. Willard - Social reformer and advocate for women’s education.
  • Charles W. Eliot - Longtime president of Harvard University who reformed American higher education.

• Scientists - Paying tribute to scientific innovators:
  
  • Eli Whitney - Inventor of the cotton gin.
  • Dr. Crawford W. Long - Pioneer of surgical anesthesia.
  • Luther Burbank - Horticulturist who created new plant varieties.
  • Walter Reed - Known for his work on yellow fever.
  • Jane Addams - Social worker and co-founder of Hull House, an advocate for public health and social reform.
    
    
• Composers  - Featuring early American composers who captured the nation's spirit:
  
  • Stephen Foster - Known as “the father of American music.”
  • John Philip Sousa - Composer of patriotic marches, including The Stars and Stripes Forever.
  • Victor Herbert - Composer of operettas like Babes in Toyland.
  • Edward MacDowell - Composer and pianist.
  • Ethelbert Nevin - Known for popular parlor music.

• Artists - Celebrating painters and sculptors who contributed to American art:
  
  • James A. McNeill Whistler - Known for Whistler’s Mother.
  • Augustus Saint-Gaudens - Sculptor of iconic public monuments.
  • Daniel Chester French - Sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial statue.
  • Frederic Remington - Painter and sculptor famous for Western scenes.
  • Gilbert Stuart - Painter of George Washington’s famous portrait.

• Inventors - Honoring inventors who reshaped daily life:
  
  • Elias Howe - Inventor of the sewing machine.
  • Samuel Morse - Developer of the telegraph and Morse code.
  • Cyrus McCormick - Inventor of the mechanical reaper.
  • Alexander Graham Bell - Inventor of the telephone.
  • Thomas Edison - Known for inventions like the phonograph and light bulb.

Each stamp in the Famous Americans series reflects the achievements and legacies of these individuals, making this collection a window into the pioneering spirit that shaped America. Collectors admire these stamps for their historical value, distinct designs, and representation of American innovation across literature, science, art, and public service. Order today to add these to your collection.