Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet from Frederick, Maryland, who is best known for writing the lyrics for the American national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner".Key observed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 during the War of 1812. He was inspired upon seeing the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn and wrote the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry"; it was published within a week with the suggested tune of the popular song "To Anacreon in Heaven". The song with Key's lyrics became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner" and slowly gained in popularity as an unofficial anthem, finally achieving official status more than a century later under President Herbert Hoover as the national anthem.
Key was a lawyer in Maryland and Washington D.C. for four decades and worked on important cases, including the Burr conspiracy trial, and he argued numerous times before the Supreme Court. He was nominated for District Attorney for the District of Columbia by President Andrew Jackson, where he served from 1833 to 1841. Key was a devout Episcopalian.
Key owned slaves from 1800, during which time abolitionists ridiculed his words, claiming that America was more like the "Land of the Free and Home of the Oppressed". As District Attorney, he suppressed abolitionists, and in 1836 lost a case against Reuben Crandall where he accused the defendant's abolitionist publications of instigating slaves to rebel. He was also a leader of the American Colonization Society which sent freed slaves to Africa. He freed some of his slaves in the 1830s, paying one ex-slave as his farm foreman to supervise his other slaves. He publicly criticized slavery and gave free legal representation to some slaves seeking freedom, but he also represented owners of runaway slaves. At the time of his death he owned eight slaves.
Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.
Some of their strengths
Francis Scott Key has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Confident, Optimistic, Extroverted, Passionate, Intelligent, Brave, and Intuitive.
Bold and Confident
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Francis Scott Key is someone who is a bold, confident, energetic, and optimistic person, who is able to combine personal warmth and charisma with intelligence. A person who is known for being a good partner.
Passionate and Intense
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Francis Scott Key well know them as someone who can be passionate, proud, and intense, like the sun or a blazing fire.
Organized and Achievement-oriented
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Francis Scott Key as someone who is organized, goal-oriented, practical, and persevering.
Who is hardworking, intellectual, and easygoing, who loves higher education and learning and sharing ideas with others, and who loves healthy competition.
Wise and Deep
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Francis Scott Key is someone who tends to have an internal innate wisdom, and who people tend to see as an "old soul".
They are also someone who is confident and creative, and who has a love for starting new projects, inventing new things, and giving back to the community.
Creative and Leadership-oriented
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Francis Scott Key tends to be someone who is a natural leader, with determination, motivational powers, and who takes obligations seriously. Who has charisma, a sense of humor, and who tends to attract attention.
Some of Francis Scott Key's challenges
While Francis Scott Key has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Francis Scott Key can be Arrogant, Selfish, Status-seeking, Short-tempered, Impulsive, Rebellious, and Emotionally Distant.
Arrogant and Status-seeking
One of Francis Scott Key's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as arrogant and status-seeking.
Callous and Selfish
Francis Scott Key is someone who can be standoffish, pessimistic, and ruthless, who can have difficulty concentrating and be impatient, can have difficulty discovering the keys to personal contentment, and who can have a tendency to overwork and hoard wealth and possessions.
Domineering and Stubborn
Finally, Francis Scott Key also can be too rebellious, not respond to criticism well, and be too emotional and extreme about things.
