He came, he saw, he wrote: almost 200 years have passed since a lawyer and part-time poet named Francis Scott Key had a ringside seat to one of the greatest battles in American history. When the smoke had cleared, the U.S. had defeated Great Britain in the War of 1812 and our young nation had a new anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner.".

• Author: Woodard, Jim
• Position: USA Yesterday

AS THE AUTHOR of our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner," Francis Scott Key, a simple man who loved to read and write poetry while being strongly devoted to his small circle of friends, has become as closely linked to our country's history as many of our greatest past presidents.

Born Aug. 1, 1779, Key was a soft-spoken and highly intelligent youngster. During the first decade of his life, he lived with his parents on their Maryland plantation. Instead of pursuing sports, music, or dramatic ambitions like most of his young friends, he preferred to find a quiet corner where he could write poetry.

At age 10, Key was sent to St. John's Grammar School in Annapolis, Md. There, he lived with his great aunt. Later, he attended St. John's College, where he graduated with top honors. He then studied law at Annapolis at the suggestion of his Uncle Philip, a lawyer who had a major impact on Key. He even introduced him to the girl who would become his wife, Mary Taylor Lloyd (nicknamed Polly by Key). While courting, Key wrote many poems to and about Polly. It was his favorite way to communicate his feelings. They were married in Maryland in 1802. Soon after, they moved to Washington, D.C., where Key became a law partner with his uncle.

Key quickly gained a reputation as an accomplished trial attorney, winning most of his cases. His most noted case was defending Aaron Burr, the vice president of the U.S. during Thomas Jefferson's presidency. Burr and two other men had been arrested for treason when they were caught taking men and guns to the Southwest. Some even accused them of trying to take over land to found a new nation. No lawyer would defend them, feeling it was too hot an issue to touch. Key--fast becoming a powerful public speaker and skilled negotiator--welcomed the challenge and ultimately won the case.

In June of 1812, the U.S. declared war on Great Britain after numerous disagreements surfaced concerning trade during a war between England and France. The War of 1812 proved to be an intense series of battles. In August 1814, British soldiers burned the White House, Capitol Building, and Library of Congress. They then turned their attention to Baltimore, where they would fight what they thought would be the pivotal and turning-point battle of the war.

Their plans first were to defeat Fort McHenry, a large structure at the seaward side of Baltimore that protected the city from warships in Chesapeake Bay. Several British vessels were...