The 24th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 25, 1951, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company, at the National Press Club. The winner was 13-year-old Irving Belz of Memphis, Tennessee, sponsored by the Memphis Press-Scimitar, correctly spelling the word insouciant. Michael Aratingi, also 13, of Brooklyn, New York placed second, misspelling cuisine. Mary Anne Bechkowiak (13) of Akron, Ohio placed third, misspelling grosgrain. The top prizes where $500, $300, and $100. Benson S. Alleman was the pronouncer.