K is for Key
Francis Scott Key
by C.J.
Francis Scott Key was born in 1779 in
Frederick, Maryland. He attended St. John’s
School in Annapolis, studying to become a lawyer.
His close friend, who later became his brother-in-law,
was Roger Brooke Taney. Francis married Mary Chase
and they lived in Georgetown where he practiced law.
During the War of 1812, Francis was sent by President
Madison to help secure the release of an American
Doctor who had be taken prisoner by the British.
It was during that time that the bombardment of
Fort McHenry took place. Francis was on board a
British ship watching the bombs explode during the night.
As the dawn broke he saw the American Flag
still flying over the Fort and he wrote a poem
about his experience. That poem later became
our national anthem The Star Spangled Banner.
Key died in 1843 at the age of 64.