“The Star Spangled Banner” is one of the most famous and patriotic songs ever written. However, many people aren’t aware of its origin. Francis Scott Key is one of the most under appreciated writers of all time. Key was born in what is now Carroll County, Maryland, into a prosperous family. After graduating from St. John's College in Annapolis in 1796, Key trained as a lawyer. Key began the practice of law in Frederick in 1801 and by the time of the War of 1812 had established a successful law practice in Georgetown, D.C. He was also an amateur poet and was extremely active in the Episcopal church (Horsman 3/7/02). Key's chance for more than local fame came as a result of the War of 1812. As one phase of a series of attacks on the United States in 1814, the British landed troops in the Chesapeake Bay area. In August, after defeating the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, they temporarily occupied Washington, D.C., burned the public buildings, withdrew, and sailed up the Chesapeake to attack Baltimore. In the course of their withdrawal, the British arrested and took with them a local physician, Dr. William Beanes (Horsman 3/7/02).Beanes's friends asked Key to intervene with the British to secure his release. Accompanied by an American agent for prisoners of war, Key sailed out to the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay and arranged for Beanes to be freed. The British, however, were about to launch their attack on Baltimore, and they detained the Americans until after the attack. On the night of September 13-14 the British bombarded Fort McHenry, one of the American forts guarding Baltimore. In the morning, when Key saw the American flag still flying over the fort, he was inspired to write the poem that became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner." He quickly jotted down the lines and that night on shore wrote out a fair copy. It was printed immediately and issued in Baltimore as a handbill with the title "Defence of...
