August 1,1779 - January 11,1843
"FRANCIS SCOTT KEY was born in Frederick County, Maryland, August 1, 1779. His father, John Ross Key, an officer in the army in the Revolutionary war, was a descendant from some of the earliest settlers of the province.in addition to the Star-Spangled Banner, of a few other songs and devotional pieces. His poems were written without any view to publication, on some passing topic for his own and the gratification of his friends.They were noted down on odd scraps of appear, backs of letters, &c., a piece of several verses being often on as many separate slips of paper, and were seldom revised by the author."Some years after he removed to Washington [D.C.], where he became District Attorney of the city, and there remained until his death, January 11, 1843.