'OUR GOOD FRANK'S PATRIOTIC SONG'.

KEY, Francis Scott, 1779-1843; STAR-Spangled Banner, The (Poem : Key); BEANES, William; PRISONERS of war; WAR of 1812; FORT McHenry (Baltimore, Md.) -- Military history -- 19th century

The article discusses U.S. attorney and poet Francis Scott Key and his poem "The Star-Spangled Banner." It describes Key's mission to Baltimore, Maryland, during the War of 1812 in an attempt to negotiate the release of physician William Beanes from British custody. The article also describes Key's witnessing of the Battle of Baltimore, particularly the attack against Fort McHenry, Key's writing of the verses that became "The Star-Spangled Banner," and the publication of the poem in Baltimore.