Francis Scott Key

American lawyer and amateur poet. Born Francis Scott Key; (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843). In the War of 1812 he witnessed the bombarding of Ft. McHenry and was inspired to write a poem describing the experience. Entitled "The Defence of Fort McHenry", and intended to fit the rhythms of "To Anacreon in Heaven" by composer John Stafford Smith, it has become better known as "The Star Spangled Banner". Under this name, the song was adopted as the American national anthem in 1931.