John Stafford Smith: Composer of the American National Anthem
English composer, church organist, and musicologist, best known for composing the melody that became 'The Star-Spangled Banner', the national anthem of the United States.Born in Gloucester, England, Smith was a chorister at the Chapel Royal under Bernard Gates and later studied with William Boyce. He became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1784 and organist at Gloucester Cathedral (1790) and the Chapel Royal (1802). A founding member of the prestigious Glee Club, he composed numerous glees,...