Jonah Patel
Francis Scott Key, born on 1 August 1779, was an American lawyer, author, and poet. He is best known for writing the poem Defence of Fort M'Henry, which later became the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. During the early 1800s, Key owned slaves and was a vocal opponent of the abolition movement. He also served as a District Attorney and suppressed abolitionists. In 1814, Key witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry and was inspired to write his famous poem. Given this information, it can be discussed whether Francis Scott Key defended the constitution during the 1800s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 August 1779 |
| Place of birth | Frederick County, Maryland |
| Father | John Ross Key |
| Profession | Lawyer, author, poet |
| Political affiliation | Federalist political party |
| War service | War of 1812 |
| Notable works | "The Star-Spangled Banner", "Defence of Fort M'Henry" |
| Slave ownership | Started in 1800 or 1801, owned 6 slaves in 1820, freed 7 in the 1830s |
| Abolitionist stance | Suppressed abolitionists, criticised slavery, represented slaves seeking freedom |
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What You'll Learn
Francis Scott Key's stance on slavery
Francis Scott Key, the American lawyer, author, and poet from Frederick, Maryland, is best known for writing the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry", which later became the American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Key was born in 1779 and purchased his first slave in 1800 or 1801. He owned six slaves in 1820 and eight at the time of his death in 1843. He is said to have freed seven slaves in the 1830s, and one of them continued to work for him as a paid foreman, supervising other slaves.
Key's stance on slavery was complicated and contradictory. He was a slave owner and defended slaveholders' rights to own human property in court. He also sought to suppress abolitionists and restrict their freedom of speech. As District Attorney, he prosecuted a New York doctor living in Georgetown for possessing abolitionist pamphlets. In the case of U.S. v. Reuben Crandall, Key asked whether the property rights of slaveholders outweighed the free speech rights of those arguing for the abolishment of slavery. He lost the case, and the defeat, along with family tragedies in 1835, diminished his political ambition. He resigned as District Attorney in 1840.
However, Key also publicly criticized the cruelties of slavery and represented several slaves seeking their freedom. He was a leader of the American Colonization Society, which sent former slaves to Africa, and he believed that African-Americans should "return" to Africa. He also fought to enforce the will of John Randolph of Roanoke, which freed 400 slaves, and worked to provide the freed men and women with land.
Key's complicated legacy with regards to slavery has been the subject of much debate. While he wrote about the land of the free, it is likely that black slaves were simultaneously trying to reach British ships in Baltimore Harbor, seeking freedom and liberty.
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Key's involvement in the War of 1812
While Francis Scott Key is best known for writing "The Star-Spangled Banner", he was also a lawyer and a writer who played a role in the War of 1812.
The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, provoked by British interference with American maritime commerce. The war was vigorously opposed, and when it was declared in June 1812, church bells in many Northeastern towns tolled slowly in mourning.
In August 1814, two years after the war began, British troops set fire to the Capitol, the Treasury, the President's House, and the War and State departments. The British expected America's third-largest city, Baltimore, to fall as easily as the capital. A British fleet entered the Patapsco River and positioned itself to bombard Fort McHenry at the entrance to Baltimore Harbour.
At the time, Francis Scott Key was a 35-year-old Washington lawyer. He had been detained on a British ship within sight of the fort, having been sent to negotiate the release of a 65-year-old physician, William Beanes, who had been arrested by the British. From the ship, Key observed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry.
Upon seeing an American flag flying over the fort at dawn, Key was inspired to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry", which was published within a week. Set to the tune of the popular song "To Anacreon in Heaven", the song with Key's lyrics became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner". It slowly gained popularity as an unofficial anthem and was eventually declared the national anthem over a century later.
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Key's political affiliations
Francis Scott Key is known for writing "The Star-Spangled Banner", the American national anthem. He was also a lawyer, author, and poet from Frederick, Maryland. Born in 1779, he came from a wealthy background and had a successful career as a lawyer in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. He was also the United States District Attorney from 1833 until his resignation in 1840.
Despite his personal opposition to slavery, Key owned slaves himself, purchasing his first in 1800 or 1801 and owning eight at the time of his death. He defended slaveholders' rights to own human property in court and, as District Attorney, suppressed abolitionists. He also lost a case against Reuben Crandall, who he had accused of instigating slaves to rebel through his abolitionist publications. However, he also publicly criticized the cruelties of slavery, represented several slaves seeking freedom, and fought to enforce the will of John Randolph of Roanoke, which freed 400 slaves.
In the 1828 U.S. presidential election, Key supported Andrew Jackson of the Democratic Party. He served as a trusted advisor to Jackson and was appointed U.S. Attorney for Washington in 1833, serving until 1841. He was also a member of Jackson's "kitchen cabinet", an informal group of close advisers. Key helped defuse pre-Civil War confrontations between the federal government and the state of Alabama.
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Key's legal career
Francis Scott Key (1 August 1779 – 11 January 1843) was a lawyer, author, and poet from Frederick, Maryland. He is best known for writing the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry", which became the American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Key was born into an affluent family on an estate called Terra Rubra in Frederick County, Maryland. He was the son of a lawyer, a commissioned officer in the Continental Army, and a judge of English descent. At the age of 10, he entered St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, from which he graduated in 1796. After graduating, he studied law under the direction of his uncle, Philip Barton Key, and Judge Jeremiah Townley Chase, and passed the bar in 1801.
By 1801, Key had opened a law practice in Frederick, Maryland, and by 1805, he had a well-established law practice of his own in Georgetown, a suburb of Washington, D.C. In his first decade of practice, he appeared numerous times before the United States Supreme Court. He was appointed the United States District Attorney in 1833 and served in that position until 1841.
Key was also an early and ardent opponent of slave trafficking. He believed that slavery was sinful and campaigned for the suppression of the slave trade. He provided free legal advice to slaves and freedmen in Washington, D.C., and represented several slaves seeking their freedom. However, he also defended slaveholders' rights to own human property and represented owners of runaway slaves.
In addition to his legal career, Key was a prolific writer and amateur poet. He wrote poems with heavily religious themes, as well as occasional verse. He was also a friend and adviser to President Andrew Jackson, helping to defuse pre-Civil War confrontations between the federal government and the state of Alabama.
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The creation of The Star-Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old Washington lawyer and writer, found himself detained on a British ship within sight of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The British had turned their attention to Baltimore after setting Washington ablaze and raiding Alexandria, Virginia.
On the evening of August 24, 1814, British troops torched the Capitol, the Treasury, and the President's House. The next morning, Key observed the bombardment of Fort McHenry, and his relief at seeing the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn inspired him to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry". The poem was published within a week with the suggested tune of the popular song "To Anacreon in Heaven", and the song with Key's lyrics became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner".
"The Star-Spangled Banner" quickly gained popularity as a patriotic song and was printed in 17 newspapers from Georgia to New Hampshire. It was also performed publicly by Baltimore actor Ferdinand Durang at Captain McCauley's tavern in October 1814. By the early 20th century, there were various versions of the song in popular use, and it had been adopted by the military for ceremonial purposes.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson adopted the song as a de facto national anthem, and in 1917, the Army and Navy designated it as the national anthem for ceremonial purposes. However, it was not until 1931 that a bill was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Herbert Hoover, officially recognizing "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Francis Scott Key is known for his role in defending the Constitution during the War of 1812. As a lawyer and amateur poet, Key was concerned about the defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, which was under attack by the British. During the battle, he witnessed the bombardment of the fort and was inspired to write a poem, "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which later became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner" and adopted as the national anthem of the United States.
During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key was aboard a British ship negotiating a prisoner release when he learned of the planned attack on Fort McHenry. Concerned for the fort's defense and the fate of Baltimore, he pleaded with the British to allow him to return to the city, but they refused and detained him temporarily. From the ship, he watched the bombardment of the fort and was unsure if the American flag still flew above it.
After witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry and the resilience of the American defenders, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry." The poem captured the spirit of the defense and the pride of the American flag still flying over the fort. It was quickly published and distributed, gaining popularity across the nation. In 1931, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially adopted as the national anthem of the United States, reflecting its enduring significance and symbolic value.
Francis Scott Key's actions during the War of 1812 had a significant impact on American history and patriotism. His poem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," became a source of national pride and unity, inspiring Americans during a time of conflict. The song's lyrics and melody have endured as a symbol of American freedom and resilience. Additionally, Key's role as a lawyer and his defense of the Constitution during the war further contributed to his legacy as a patriot and advocate for American values.
