- **Born:** August 1, 1779 in Frederick County, [[Maryland]] - **Parents:** John Ross Key (Revolutionary War officer and planter) and Ann Phoebe Penn Dagworthy Charlton - **Spouse:** Mary Tayloe Lloyd - **Children:** 11 children - **Died:** January 11, 1843 at Baltimore, Maryland - **Highest Office:** U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia (1833-1841) - **Other Notable Positions:** Georgetown attorney, private legal practice in [[Washington, D.C.]], occasional government legal counsel - **Party Affiliation:** Federalist (early career), later Democratic-Republican - **Historical Note:** Author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," [[United States of America (USA)]]'s national anthem, written after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 on September 14, 1814. Originally titled "Defence of Fort M'Henry," the poem was inspired by seeing the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn after a 25-hour British attack. A prominent lawyer known for eloquent courtroom speeches, Key represented a complex figure of his era—owning enslaved people while also defending some free Black Americans in court. His poem became the official U.S. national anthem in 1931, immortalizing his witness to American resilience during the nation's second war with Britain.