Francis Scott Key: Patriotic Poet

Describes the life of the lawyer and poet, Francis Scott Key, best known for writing the poem "The Star-Spangled Banner" in 1814.

One day in 1814, Francis Scott Key watched the British bomb Fort McHenry. When the smoke cleared, he peered through a small telescope. The U.S. flag was still flying over the fort. The Americans had won. Inspired, Key scribbled a poem that would become "The Star-Spangled Banner." Key is known to millions of people as the man who wrote the U.S. national anthem. But there were many sides to his life. This book explores Key as a father, lawyer, and public servant.

Children's Literature

This series entry explores the life of a major figure at the time the nation was young (1801-1861), using full-color as well as black-and-white historical photographs and illustrations, authentic documents, and factual, engaging text. The text opens with a chapter of the importance of Key's work to the early days of America, his work on behalf of the poor, and his work as a lawyer before entering the militia in defense of Washington. Both the opening chapter and the closing tell the story of how Key's poem was set to music to become the national anthem. Information about the War of 1812, the early days of resistance to slavery, and the restoration of the flag in the past few years accompany this biography of a less frequently covered person, especially in a single text. A table of contents, glossary, bibliography and index are included as well as map and timeline, quotations from primary sources, and a publisher's omnibus Internet Web site that will be up to date with current information. The book is a good addition to the middle school shelf and features an involving format sure to interest both less able and eager readers. Part of the series, "Let Freedom Ring: The New Nation Biographies." 2003, Bridgestone Books,