John Stafford Smith

John Stafford Smith (March 30, 1750 – September 21, 1836) was a British composer born in Gloucester, England, church organist, and early musicologist. He was one of the first serious collectors of manuscripts of works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Stafford Smith is best known for writing the music for "The Anacreontic Song", which became the tune for the American patriotic song the Star Spangled Banner following the war of 1812, and in 1931 was adopt... more

John Stafford Smith (March 30, 1750 – September 21, 1836) was a British composer born in Gloucester, England, church organist, and early musicologist. He was one of the first serious collectors of manuscripts of works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Stafford Smith is best known for writing the music for "The Anacreontic Song", which became the tune for the American patriotic song the Star Spangled Banner following the war of 1812, and in 1931 was adopted as the national anthem of the United States of America John Stafford Smith was baptised in Gloucester Cathedral, England on 30 March 1750, the son of Martin Smith, organist of Gloucester Cathedral from 1743-1782. He attended the Gloucester cathedral school where he became a boy-singer. He furthered his career as a choir boy at the Chapel Royal, London and also studied under the famous Dr William Boyce. By the 1770's he had gained a reputation as a composer and organist. He was elected as a member of the select Anacreontic Society which... less