Francis Scott Key wasn't a political figure, and he wasn't for the war, but he was thrusted into becoming one of the most significant people in the course of the war. Key was a Maryland Lawyer, who lived with an Uncle and attended St John's college in Annapolis as a young man. Key was not a "war hawk" and didn't strongly support the war although he was a patriot prepared to defend his home and his friends. In the days after the British burning of Washington, Key was sent by President Madison to seek the release of an American named Dr. Beane, who had been arrested by the British. Francis Scott Key and the others sailed a small truce vessel out to meet the British fleet and spent several days negotiating with Admiral Cochrane and Vice Admiral Cockburn. And finally they agreed to the release. However because The British were planning an attack on Baltimore, Key and his party were forced to remain on ship with the British fleet. Thus Francis Scott Key became an unwilling witness to the British bombardment of his beloved Baltimore.
The sight of the American flag still flying over Ft. McHenry after a 25 hour bombardment inspired Francis Scott Key to write down the words that would one day become the Americas national anthem: the "Star-Spangled Banner". Key entitled his poem " The defense of Fort McHenry ". The idea of the name was brought up by Frances Scott Key's Brother-in-law, Joseph Nicholson who had been at Fort McHenry. (Kroll P. 32)
Key started his poem while still on board the British ship and then added more verses while sitting in a tavern in Baltimore. The poem was eventfully set to the music of a British drinking song known as the "Anacreontic song" performed below. Perhaps Key was inspired by this song he heard in the tavern?
After the war and when his friend Andrew Jackson became president, Francis Scott Key was appointed U.S. district attorney for Washington D.C. When Key died on January 11, 1814, American flags in both Baltimore and Washington were lowered to half-mast. (Brodie p.40)
Key started his poem while still on board the British ship and then added more verses while sitting in a tavern in Baltimore. The poem was eventfully set to the music of a British drinking song known as the "Anacreontic song" performed below. Perhaps Key was inspired by this song he heard in the tavern?
After the war and when his friend Andrew Jackson became president, Francis Scott Key was appointed U.S. district attorney for Washington D.C. When Key died on January 11, 1814, American flags in both Baltimore and Washington were lowered to half-mast. (Brodie p.40)
On the left is the original manuscript that Francis Scott Key wrote after witnessing the remarkable sight of the American Flag Triumphantly flying over fort McHenry. On the right Is a portrait of Francis Scott Key from about 1825, it now resides in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. (Brodie et al, p. 41)