Francis Scott Key worked as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia when he wrote this check in 1840. While on a mission to obtain an exchange for an American held by the British, Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort Henry and was inspired to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry." The poem was later set to John Stafford Smith's song "To Anacreon in Heaven" and became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner." The song was adapted as the US national anthem in 1931 - almost 90 years after Key had died. This Fracis Scott Key autograph reproduction would look great in an album or display.