Francis Scott Key, Battle of Baltimore, 1814
Key standing on boat, with right arm stretched out toward the United States flag flying over Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland. The resistance of Fort McHenry during bombardment by the Royal Navy inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry", which later became the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner". Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 - January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". More than a century after its first publication, the song was adopted as the American national anthem, first by an Executive Order from President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and then by a Congressional resolution in 1931, signed by President Herbert Hoover. Throughout his career Key represented slaves seeking their freedom in court (for free), as well as several masters seeking return of their runaway human property. He publicly criticized slavery's cruelties, but used his position as Attorney to suppress abolitionists. He resigned as district attorney in 1840. He remained a staunch proponent of African colonization and a strong critic of the antislavery movement until his death in 1843 at the age of 63. Reproduction of painting by Percy Moran.
Size: 3347px × 4200px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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