L- Francis Scott Key was born in Frederick County Maryland on August 1, 1779. He was the son of Revolutionary War Officer, John Ross Key.
M-Francis Scott Key or “Frankie” as his family nicknamed him grew up with a strong determination from living with his grandmother. She was still as strong as ever even when she lost her sight due to a fire. Key said, “If a woman who lost her sight can still see the purpose in life then perhaps the power of faith is a force worth exploring.”
L-Key studied law at St. John ’s College and later became the district attorney for the District of Columbia. He was married to his wife Mary and had six sons and five daughters. Key lived in Georgetown, a few miles from the White House and the Federal Buildings of Washington.
M-During the War of 1812, Key was informed that his beloved friend Dr. William Beanes, a much loved town physician, was captured by the British during an attack on Washington. Dr. Beanes was being held on the British flag ship, Tonnant. The citizens feared Dr. Beanes would be hung, so they asked Francis Scott Key to go and negotiate his release.
L-Key agreed to go and took along with him Col. John Skinner, an American agent for prisoner exchange. On the morning of September 3rd, he and Col. Skinner set sail from Baltimore aboard a sloop flying a flag of truce approved by President Madison. On the 7th they found and boarded the TONNANT to negotiate with Gen. Ross and Adm. Alexander Cochrane. At first they refused to release Dr. Beanes. But Key and Skinner gave them a bag full of letters written by wounded British prisoners praising the care they were receiving from the Americans.
M-The British officers relented but would not release the three Americans immediately because they had seen and heard too much of the preparations for the attack on Baltimore. They were placed under guard, first aboard the H.M.S. Surprise, then onto the sloop and forced to wait out the battle behind the British fleet....