Francis Scott Key

Francis Scott Key was born on August 1, 1779 at his family plantation Terra Rubra in what is now Carroll County, Maryland. He is the son of  Ann Phoebe Penn Dagworthy and John Ross Key. He was a lawyer, author, and amateur poet. He is famously known as the author of our national anthem- The Star Spangled Banner. He also helped with the approval of the national motto “In God is our Trust.” (It was later changed to "In God we Trust" by law.) Francis Scott Key was a very patriotic and religious person. Later in his life, he also was associated with the American Bible Society and was an attorney for many court cases. He died at the age of 63 in 1843 from pleurisy. There are many monuments and memorials dedicated in Key's honor throughout the country.