Successful lawyer, public servant, and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key's most memorable achievement is the writing of the poem/song now known as the Star-Spangled Banner. Born in Frederick County, Maryland, and graduating from St. John's College, he studied law in Annapolis, Md., and began a law practice with fellow student Roger B. Taney in 1801. In 1802 Key married Mary Tayloe Lloyd, moving to Georgetown (then Md.) shortly thereafter.

In September of 1814, Key was asked to attempt the rescue of a personal friend, Dr. William Beanes, who had been taken prisoner by the British after the Battle of Bladensburg during the War of 1812. Accompanied by John S. Skinner, Key secured Beanes' release, but all three men were detained until the conclusion of the Battle of Baltimore (Md.). Forced to watch the bombardment of Fort McHenry from the British position, and enduring the long night with its uncertainty, Key was overcome with emotion to see at daybreak the American flag still flying, the fort untaken, and Baltimore safe. To express his joy and relief he composed the immortal poem.

After the war Key continued his flourishing legal practice, as well as his writing of hymns and poems, and became United States Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1833 to 1841.

(Adapted from Star-Spangled Books, by P.W. Filby and Edward G. Howard, Baltimore, Md.: Maryland Historical Society, 1972.) 

The poem that Key wrote aboard the British ship was originally titled "Defence of Fort M'Henry," and its first publication was in Baltimore, Md. shortly after Key's release by the British. Initially published as a song, the piece was accompanied by the tune To Anacreon in Heaven written by the British composer John Stafford Smith. A few months later the song was published under the familiar title The Star-Spangled Banner. 

Praised immediately, in its early years the piece was especially popular during national holidays and military celebrations, when it was played or sung along with other pieces such as Hail Columbia and Yankee Doodle.

Although always popular, the song was not elevated to the status of United States national anthem until an act of Congress in 1931.