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Francis Scott Key was born August 1, 1779, in Frederick County, Maryland to a wealthy plantation owner, John Ross Key, and Ann Phoebe Charlton Key. Key attended St. John’s college and became a lawyer after studying law under his uncle, in 1796. He was District Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1833-1841. Key grew up on a plantation with slaves and owned slaves on his property as an adult. He was an anti- abolitionist and help found the American Colonization Society, in 1816. Key wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner. Key died January 11, 1843, and is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, Maryland.

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Biography: 

Francis Scott Key was born August 1, 1779, in Frederick County, Maryland to a wealthy plantation owner, John Ross Key, and Ann Phoebe Charlton Key. Key attended St. John’s college and became a lawyer after studying law under his uncle, in 1796. He was District Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1833-1841. Key grew up on a plantation with slaves and owned slaves on his property as an adult. He was an anti- abolitionist and help found the American Colonization Society, in 1816. Key wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner. Key died January 11, 1843, and is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, Maryland.

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Citation URL: 
https://www.nps.gov/fomc/learn/historyculture/francis-scott-key.htm
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Francis Scott Key
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Tuesday, December 13, 2022 - 17:45
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Citation Notes: 
see also: Smith, F. S. Key. “A Sketch of Francis Scott Key, with a Glimpse of His Ancestors.” Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C., vol. 12, 1909, pp. 71–88. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40066994. Accessed 14 Dec. 2022.
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Citation URL: 
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Scott-Key
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Encyclopedia Britannica - Francis Scott Key
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Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Scott-Key
Title of Webpage: 
Encyclopedia Britannica - Francis Scott Key
Website Viewing Date: 
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