John Andrew Buchanan
Encyclopedia
John Andrew Buchanan was a judge and politician in Astoria
in the U.S. state of Oregon
, and an amateur poet who wrote the lyrics to the Oregon state song.
In 1920 he composed the lyrics to "Oregon, My Oregon
"; he and Henry Murtagh, who composed the music, entered the song in a contest sponsored by the Society of Oregon Composers. They won the contest; the song was published and endorsed by the state superintendent of public instruction
. The Oregon Legislative Assembly
made it the state song in 1927.
Buchanan was a school teacher and an attorney. He served two terms in the Oregon House of Representatives
, for the 25th and 26th sessions (1909–1912). He wrote poetry throughout his life and published several books of poetry.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811...
in the U.S. state of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, and an amateur poet who wrote the lyrics to the Oregon state song.
In 1920 he composed the lyrics to "Oregon, My Oregon
Oregon, My Oregon
"Oregon, My Oregon" is the state song of Oregon, United States. Written for a song contest in 1920, the 16-line, 2-verse song became the state's official song in 1927.-History:...
"; he and Henry Murtagh, who composed the music, entered the song in a contest sponsored by the Society of Oregon Composers. They won the contest; the song was published and endorsed by the state superintendent of public instruction
Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes referred to as the State Superintendent of Schools, is a constitutional office within the executive branch of the Oregon state government, and acts as administrative officer of the State Board of Education and executive head of the Department of...
. The Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
made it the state song in 1927.
Buchanan was a school teacher and an attorney. He served two terms in the Oregon House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
, for the 25th and 26th sessions (1909–1912). He wrote poetry throughout his life and published several books of poetry.