Francis Scott Key

Francis Scott Key is most well known as the author of the text to "The Star-Spangled Banner." By profession, he was a lawyer, based in Georgetown.

Photo: Francis Scott Key, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

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About

Born on a plantation in Maryland, Francis Scott Key studied at St. John’s College in Anapolis. He was held hostage during in the War of 1812, and during that time, he viewed the scene which he would immortalize in “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The original title of his poem was “Defence of Fort McHenry.”

–Christie Finn

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