The Life and Legacy of Francis Scott Key

The Life and Legacy of Francis Scott Key

Francis Scott Key may have only been known as a 19th century poet if it wasn’t for the British attack on Baltimore in 1814. Most people know that Francis Scott Key wrote the poem, “The Star-spangled Banner,” but they do not know the story behind the song.

In 1800, Key became a lawyer and set up his practice in Frederick, MD. He was introduced to a young woman named "Polly." Francis Scott Key first started writing poetry because of her. In 1802, Francis Scott Key married Polly Lloyd, and soon after moved to Washington D.C. Key made his home in Georgetown and lived there from 1804-1833.

Francis Scott Key was born August 1, 1779 to John Ross Key and Anne Key. He grew up on his family's plantation named Terra Rubra , Latin for "red land." At age ten, Francis Scott Key was sent to St. John's Grammar School in Annapolis, and later sent to St. John's College where he studied law.

Terra Rubra - the birthplace of Francis Scott Key

A memorial in front of Key's birthplace

Key disliked slavery but still owned slaves. Key even took up cases in court to try to free the slaves. Key also opposed the War of 1812, but Key joined the volunteer militia and served in the " flying battery" a horse-drawn artillery when the war came to the Chesapeake Bay area.

Francis Scott Key

Key on truce boat watching the attack

In 1814, Key learned that his friend, Dr.William Beanes, had been captured by the British. With the assistance of President James Madison and Col. John S. Skinner, Key managed to locate the ship holding Dr. Beanes. Key and Col. Skinner sailed out to negotiate Dr. Beane's release. When to British decided to release Dr. Beanes, the three men were held as prisioners until after the attack on Baltimore. When the battle was over, Key saw that "our flag was still there," and while sailing back to shore, Key wrote more verses to the poem.

The gravestone of Francis Scott Key

"Poems of the Late Francis Scott Key" - published in 1857

After the war, Key continued to work as a lawyer. He served as the District Attorney under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren in Washington D.C. until 1841. In 1843, Key died at his daughter's home in Baltimore from pleurisy that was complicated by pneumonia. The remains of Francis Scott Key and his wife were placed in a crypt at the base of the Key Association's Memorial Monument.

Francis Scott Key Memorial Monument