Book Description
SPANGLED BANNER The Story of FRANCIS SCOTT KEY VICTOR WEYBRIGHT JARRAR fc RINBHART INC. ON MURRAY HILL NEW YORK TO HILDEGARDE FILLMORE PREFATORY NOTE THERE has never been a full-length biography o Francis Scott Key a discovery I made when I was thirteen years old. I was asked to accept on behalf of the little red Keysville School, in which I was a pupil, a spangled banner presented by a local patriotic society, and to my dismay, could find no book to draw upon for appropriate remarks. On the sum mer day when that flag ran up into the breeze as if wafted by oratory, and farmers and storekeepers, all dressed in their Sunday best, sang the anthem with sentimental tears in their eyes, there were aged men present who remembered Key and whose fathers had known him. Yet no one, with the exception of my grandfather and a few others, had gone to the trouble of preserving stories of him which survived in the neighbor hood. Not then indeed, not till six years ago did I decide to write this book. I was revisiting the redlands, strolling again through the orchard of Terra Rubra where I had rehearsed my flowery flag-acceptance speech, where Key himself doubt less had practiced youthful declamation, when I was struck with the advantages I possessed for research. Although I was not free to undertake die book till 1934, I immediately began to collect material and some of it I scarcely needed to collect. Some of it, of course, based on the tales of old men, is vague such as the persistent story that Key was born out-of-doors and not in the mansion. Yet it has a certain value. I have Vll viii PREFATORY NOTE striven to write a biography not too ponderously exhaustive a book containing all the salient details o Keys career, yet not overfreighted with dust from the archives. For that reason I have omitted many of his law cases and much of his corre spondence the best of his letters were those to his friend, John Randolph of Roanoke, which were published in Gar lands Life of Randolph in 1850. And, of his law cases, I have selected only those which indicate the direction of his practice. As the reader will discover, I have digressed to present as complete a picture as possible of the circumstances surround ing the writing of The Star-spangled Banner This story is of the Anthem, as well as of its author. The song made his name, if not his life, familiar to the generations which fol lowed him. VICTOR WEYBRJGHT. Rabbip Hill, 1934. ACKNOWLEDGMENT IT was my good fortune to meet with helpful assistance on nearly every hand while preparing this book, and I am sorry that I have not sufficient space to record the names of all to whom I am indebted. I wish to express my thanks to the staff of the Library of Congress, especially Mr. T. P. Martin of the Manuscript Divi sion, Mr. Volta Parma of the Rare Book Room and Messrs. David C Mearns and Verner W. Clapp of the Reference Room. Also to the staffs of the Peabody and Pratt Libraries in Balti more the staffs of the Maryland State and St. Johns College Libraries in Annapolis the staff of the New York Public Library, especially Mr. Wilmer Leech of - the Manuscript Division. Likewise, I wish to acknowledge my debt to Mr. Alan Dudley of the British Library of Information in New York to the custodians and trustees of the Taney House in Frederick and the Flag House in Baltimore to the Daughters of the American Revolution, and other organizations which have preserved his torical landmarks pertinent to my researches. I am grateful to the Honorable Henry L. Stimson for a letter concerning the Woodley mansion to Colonel Hampton Ander son for his courtesy in forwarding queries to the efficient archives office of the adjutant general of the United States army to Mrs. Gabrielle Eliot Forbush and Miss Mary Elizabeth Switzer in the office of the secretary of the treasury for f acilitat ix x ACKNOWLEDGMENT ing my exploration of the Jackson period to Mr... ... Read more

Book Description
Young and old can appreciate this colorful and patriotic commemoration of our nation's anthem. This beautifully-produced gift includes the origins of the song, the full lyrics of Francis Scott Key, and illustrations by beloved American folk artist Susan Winget. Written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 as he watched a British naval bombardment, the song became the official US national anthem in 1931. The lyrics of the song come to life for the young and young of heart with one-of-a kind scenes of battlefields, the White House and Capitol, Old Glory on the moon and at Ground Zero, and star-spangled quilts ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A beautiful book!
I really love this book ~ it is perfectly illustrated for children. ... Read more

Product Description
This courageous Christian penned "The Star Spangled Banner." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great History Lesson
This is a book that my mom read to me when I was a kid and I have read to my kids and we have all thouroughly enjoyed.Unlike most books about historical figures, the Sower Series includes the faith that was so very important to each and every one of the people written about.What a truly awesome way to show our kids the real history of our Nation.One Nation, Under God! ... Read more

Product Description
On a September morning in 1812, an eyewitness to the British bombing of Ft. McHenry scribbled a poem about the American flag on the back of an envelop. The eyewitness was Francis Scott Key, a well-known Washington D.C. poet and lawyer. The sight of the American Flag waving through the battle told Key that the Americans were holding strong, and stirred Key to put the pride he felt into the words of a poem. These words became “The Star-Spangled Banner,” our national anthem. Today every American knows Key’s words and sings them proudly at official proceedings and before sports events. Key went on to create an African republic where former slaves could live in freedom. He helped President Andrew Jackson settle differences between Native Americans and settlers in Alabama, and he was made District Attorney for Washington D.C. But it is for “The Star-Spangled Banner” that he is most remembered. Here is the story of the man who was the first to call the fledging United !States of America the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

My Thoughts on Francis Scott Key
I thought that this book was really good.I did a research paper using this book and I'm sure I'll get an A.The beginning of Francis Scott Key's life was interesting.I was surprised to learn that Francis Scott Keydefended Aaron Burr.The book gave perfect information on how he got hisidea for his poem that became The Star Spangled Banner.I thought thepictures were good and I promise that anyone else who reads this book willlike it. ... Read more

Book Description
Children's patriotic picture board book of the star spangled banner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Patriotism for toddlers
What does your toddler experience when they hear the Star Spangled Banner? Holding this simple book in their hands, young children can experience patriotic pride whenever they hear the National Anthem. This board book is a colorful, age-appropriate introduction tothe Star Spangled Banner.I recommend it - especially for young childrenattending ceremonies or parades.

What a great idea for encouraging patriotism in kids!
This is a super book!I got it on the advice of a friend and I am so impressed!Both of my sons (ages 2 and 4) like the adorable pictures and I enjoy encouraging them to love America and to have pride in the fact that we are lucky enough to live here.It's a great opener to good conversations, too!Even my 6 month old is showing interest, which is fine since it's a sturdy board book!This book makes a great start to the concept of patriotism - I highly recommend it! ... Read more