Francis Scott Key

Francis Scott Key (1779–1843) was an American lawyer and author best known for writing the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Born in Maryland, he studied at St. John’s College in Annapolis and went on to practice law. In September 1814, during the War of 1812, Key witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor while aboard a ship and later wrote the poem “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” Set to an existing tune, the words became widely known as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” later adopted as the United States national anthem. Key died in Baltimore in 1843.