This book contains the most definitive biography of Francis Scott Key ever written; a portrait of “an unusual character—a lawyer, orator, churchman, statesman, and poet, who was deeply patriotic and deeply religious.” “Certain it is that the fame of Francis Scott Key flowed almost entirely from the fact that he wrote The Star Spangled Banner. Yet his life is significant for many other reasons. For many years, from the time when he first appeared before Chief Justice Marshall to plead for the release of Aaron Burr’s messengers, Key was one of the leaders of the American Bar. He defended Sam Houston in his dramatic trial in the House of Representatives; he figured in Peggy Eaton’s quarrel; he opposed Nullification and the United States Bank; and he was Andrew Jackson’s conciliator in Alabama in one of the most stirring episodes in the history of the State.” Illustrations, poems, “all the important utterances of his known public speeches,” a bibliography, and an index to full names, places and subjects enhance this exceptional work.
