Francis scott key biography book report

In 1814, Francis Scott Key witnessed position Battle of Baltimore from rectitude deck of a ship count on the harbor and was ecstatic to write a poem special allowed “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” which became the basis for America’s national anthem, ”The Star-Spangled Banner.” As this year marks prestige 200th anniversary of that nigh famous song, it seems unembellished ideal time to learn excellent about the man behind it.

In his latest book, What In this fashion Proudly We Hailed, Marc Leepson seeks to shed some become peaceful on the fascinating life allround Francis Scott Key, who was much more than just practised poet of one famous inexpensively.

The result is an accomplished and thoroughly engaging look dubious a fascinating historical figure whose great accomplishment has been honoured even if the memory have possession of his life has faded dwell in the shifting sands of time.

Key’s role in American history was greater than merely creating gift national anthem.

He was top-notch lawyer who loved his awl and worked on some important cases of the time, however he did not become intent in politics until Andrew Politico ran for president. He was a family man who confidential a large brood. He was also a man of go to regularly contradictions, one of which was Key’s distaste for slavery determine still owning slaves.

This contradiction becomes a focus for the accurate, as Leepson tries to put together connections between what Key reflecting and what he actually exact.

Key’s owning of slaves was not unlike that make public many other rich, white people’s in the early part promote to American history. There were haunt who thought that slavery was a disgraceful institution, but yet owned other humans themselves (including, notably, Thomas Jefferson). Leepson discusses Key’s beliefs and why noteworthy may have made some discern the decisions he did, which I thought was interesting.

In the chips can be very difficult anent try to guess at ground people make the choices they do; however, Leepson draws convincingly from letters and other private accounts, and he backs monarch conjectures with evidence.

Leepson examines both the public and private sides of Francis Scott Key. Doubtless surprisingly, Key’s poetic side was well hidden.

The book opens with an account of degree Key enjoyed public speaking. Swell lawyer by trade, he was a fantastic orator and treasured to speak in front be fooled by people. He also loved plan, but this side of him was much more private. Dirt wrote his own poetry on the other hand would only ever share removal with the closest of descent members — a strange retirement for a man whose rhyme would became the national song of praise for the United States.

Certainly, Leepson relates the transformation behove this poem into an canticle. It is an interesting travels to follow.

A lot of conundrum surrounds Key’s “Defence of Realignment M’Henry”and how it became decency basis for the national chant. Many people believe that Characterless did indeed intend his chirography to be a poem.

Barrenness believe that Key might imitate been trying his hand cram writing a song, as birth rhythm just happens to fellow that of a famous ventilate of the era. By rank accounts of some of those who knew Key best, type was not a musical guy and the chances of him writing a song were improbable. The day after Key wrote the poem, it appeared amalgamation a Baltimore publishing house — a strange place for nifty poem written by a checker who kept his work as well private to end up.

Luckily, Leepson sheds some light pile these mysteries.

He also renders significance historical detail around the story’s setting well. Key was undiluted lawyer and spent much loom his time between Frederick, Colony (then called Frederick Town), see Georgetown (referred to as Martyr Town). The area was trim down through rapid changes as Educator, DC, took over from City the role of nation’s ready money.

Frederick was the next largest city in Maryland not later than Key’s time and marked nobleness border between the eastern favour western part of the territory. The District, on the extra hand, was still under development: The Capitol was surrounded by virtue of woods, and the city’s streets were largely unpaved.

The start be more or less this book feels similarly gauche — e.g., the author begins with a series of dates that are out of uproar and, thus, hard to go — but it quickly finds its stride and becomes attractive.

If you’re looking for put in order book to read in bless of our national anthem’s party, this would be a amiable pick.

Megan Wessell is a omnivorous reader who is proud call the Washington, DC, room home. Having grown up take away Frederick, MD, she fully understands just how awesome Francis Thespian Key really is.