Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

Francis Scott Key Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Gift from Francis S. Key-Smith, April 2, 1931.

Biographical Information:

American lawyer, author, and amateur poet who wrote the words to the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner.". Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .

Scope and Contents

Accounts and a signed check, 1832-1842, of Francis Scott Key. Papers also include a letter, 22 August 1779, from Levin Handy, Paramus, N. J. to George Handy, Snow Hill, Md. describing the battle of Paulus Hook, N.J.; and notes, n.d., concerning the Revolutionary War claim of [?] Cazeau.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Invoices
• Memorandums
• Paulus Hook, Battle of, N.J., 1779
• United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
• United States--Revolutionary War--1775-1783