Francis Scott Key, son of an
established Maryland family, was born on August 1, 1779, in Frederick, MD on the
family estate of "Terra Rubra." He attended grammar school there and later
graduated from St. Johns College in Annapolis at age 17. By 1805, Key had established a
law practice in Georgetown, Maryland, and, by 1814, had appeared many times before the
U.S. Supreme Court. In August 1814, Key's friend Dr. William Beanes was taken prisoner by the British army soon after its departure from Washington. Key left for Baltimore to obtain the services of Colonel John Skinner, the government's prisoner of war exchange agent. Together they sailed down the bay on a truce ship and met the British fleet. Key successfully negotiated the doctor's release, but was detained with Skinner and Beanes by the British until after the attack on Baltimore.
Key's vessel was 8 miles below the fort during the bombardment, under the watchful care of a British warship. It was from this site that he witnessed the British attack on Fort McHenry, after which he was inspired to write the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner."
After the war, Key served as a United States District Attorney and writing several religious hymns. On January 11, 1843, he died of pleurisy while visiting his sister in Baltimore.