USA History
Francis Scott Key



KEY, Francis Scott (1779-1843). A lawyer who wrote verse as a hobby, Francis Scott Key penned the words that became 'The Star-Spangled Banner' after a battle in the War of 1812. The words were sung to the tune of the English drinking song 'To Anacreon in Heaven'.

Francis Scott Key was born on Terra Rubra, his family's estate in western Maryland, on Aug. 1, 1779. Until he was 10 he was educated at home. After attending preparatory school at Annapolis, he entered St. John's College and then prepared for a legal career in the office of Judge Jeremiah Chase. He opened a successful law practice in Georgetown (now part of Washington, D.C.) and served as attorney for the District of Columbia from 1833. He died in Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 11, 1843.

After the burning of Washington by the British in the War of 1812, Key was sent to the British fleet anchored in Chesapeake Bay to secure the release of a friend. He was detained aboard ship overnight on Sept. 13, 1814, during the bombardment of Fort McHenry. When he saw the United States flag still flying over the fortress the next morning, he wrote the words to what was later called 'The Star-Spangled Banner' but was first printed under the title 'Defence of Fort M'Henry'. The song quickly became popular and was adopted by the Army and Navy as the national anthem, but it was not until 1931 that it became officially recognized as such by an act of Congress. (See also National Songs.)


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Excerpted from Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Compton’s NewMedia, Inc.


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