Francis Scott Key

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,...

American lawyer, author, and amateur poet best known for writing the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".Born in Maryland, Key witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying at dawn, he wrote the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry". This poem was set to the tune of a popular British song and became "The Star-Spangled Banner", officially adopted as the U.S. national anthem in 1931...