Francis Scott Key!
A significant historical figure in our nation's history:)
Childhood/Family/Middle Age
Francis Scott Key was a very well known poet at an early age and also wrote church hymns as well. His great grandparents on his father's side were born in London and immigrated to Maryland in 1726. His father was a lawyer, a judge, and an officer in the Continental army. Francis attended St. Johns school in Annapolis and studied law with his Uncle's firm. He soon established his own practice in Frederick MD in1801.
Education/Jobs
Francis was educated at home until the age of ten and then went on to an Annapolis Grammar School. Later he went to St. John's College in Annapolis and studied the law. His hard work in school paid off in his future when he became known for his famous lyrics to our national anthem. He lived in Georgetown during the war of 1812, where he was also a lieutenant in the Georgetown Light Artillery, but since the burning of Washington he had been on duty everyday. During the War of 1812 he witnessed the attack on Fort McHenry. Soon after the War of 1812 ended he became a district attorney for Washington. Key was an extremely brave and driven person.
The Star Spangled Banner
Intresting Facts
Francis' friend was being held captive onboard a British ship, and driven by devotion to his country and his friend, he set out to get presidential permission to go to the British ship and request the return of his friend. The British informed him that they would only return his friend if Key stayed on the ship while they bombed the Americans. I'm not sure I know many people who were as devoted to his country, and/ or as brave as this guy. Francis Scott Key soon there after went on to write the lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner which soon became our country's national anthem. He wrote this national anthem at Baltimore Harbor the night of September 13, 1814, and its a pretty important song if I do say so myself:)
Contributions/Accomplishments
Francis was a well known Washington lawyer when the War of 1812 raged in America, but he was associated with many other things in his lifetime. He was a man that was always working and trying to become a better man. He was part of the American Bible Society, and was also the attorney for Sam Houston during his trial in the U.S. House of Representatives for assaulting another congressman. After Key died the Key Monument Association erected a memorial in 1898 where his remains are buried along with many other men and women.
The star spangled banner went on to be America's national anthem, and influences many things going on today. Our national anthem is a really big deal and is now being played at the beginning of many important events such as sports games.
Influences
Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled banner while he watched the his country get bombed. As he was writing this national anthem he wondered who would have possession of the fort by the end of the battle. "This question soon got answered by the inspiration for the words to the song that soon became our national anthem came by "The dawns early light." as it says in many articles about Francis Scott Key. Francis was not an abolitionist, in fact he was against the believe abolitionists believed in. Although he was an amazing writer, many of his poems were not collected and published until after his death.
Important Life Events
In 1835 he prosecuted Richard Lawrence for his unsuccessful attempt to assassinate president Andrew Jackson. Francis was a full on supporter of Andrew Jackson. Francis Scott Key was a very valuable part of our history and he had many things named after him. He had an amazing life if you ask me, I would do anything to be as devoted as this guy was!
"O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!" -Francis Scott Key