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John Stafford Smith was a British composer, and he is best known for composing the tune for the "The Star-Spangled Banner." Here are some interesting facts about him and the national anthem:

1. Composition of "The Anacreontic Song": Smith originally composed the tune for "The Anacreontic Song," which was the official song of the Anacreontic Society, a gentlemen's club in London.

2. American Adoption: The tune caught the attention of Americans, and it was later used as the melody for the lyrics written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.

3. Not the Official Anthem Initially: Despite its popularity, "The Star-Spangled Banner" wasn't designated as the official national anthem of the United States until 1931.

4. Origin of the Name: The title "The Star-Spangled Banner" was inspired by the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, which Francis Scott Key witnessed.

5. Tune's Versatility: The same tune composed by John Stafford Smith was also used for other songs and parodies in both the United States and Britain.

6. Smith's Other Works: While "The Star-Spangled Banner" is undoubtedly his most famous work, Smith composed various other musical pieces during his career, including operas, glees, and instrumental music.

7. Connection to Key: Although Smith composed the tune, it was Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer, who wrote the lyrics that made it famous as the U.S. national anthem.

These facts highlight the interesting history behind John Stafford Smith's composition and its transformation into the iconic American national anthem.