Philip Barton Key

Philip Barton Key
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Name	Philip Barton Key
Birth date	1818
Birth place	Georgetown (Washington, D.C.), District of Columbia
Death date	1859
Death place	Washington, D.C.
Occupation	Lawyer, United States Attorney
Spouse	Teresa Bagioli Sickles

Philip Barton Key was a prominent figure in Washington, D.C. society, known for his charismatic personality and his role as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. He was a member of the prominent Key family of Maryland and was related to Francis Scott Key, the author of The Star-Spangled Banner. Key was also a close friend of many notable figures, including President James Buchanan and Senator Stephen Douglas. His life was marked by a tragic event that would lead to a highly publicized trial, involving Daniel Sickles, a United States Representative from New York.

● Early Life and Education

Philip Barton Key was born in 1818 in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.), District of Columbia, to a family of Maryland planters. He was educated at St. John's College (Annapolis, Maryland), where he developed a strong interest in law and politics. Key's family was well-connected, and he was a cousin of Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner during the War of 1812. Key's early life was influenced by his family's ties to the American Colonization Society and the Episcopal Church. He was also acquainted with notable figures such as Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, and Daniel Webster.

● Career

Key began his career as a lawyer in Washington, D.C., where he quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and charismatic attorney. He was appointed as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia by President Franklin Pierce and served in this position from 1853 to 1859. During his tenure, Key was involved in several high-profile cases, including the prosecution of William H. Seward and the defense of Jefferson Davis. He was also a member of the Washington, D.C. bar and was known for his expertise in property law and contract law. Key's career was marked by his associations with prominent figures, including Senator William Seward, Senator Charles Sumner, and Chief Justice Roger Taney.

● Assassination

On February 27, 1859, Philip Barton Key was shot and killed by Daniel Sickles, a United States Representative from New York, in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.. The shooting was a result of a long-standing feud between Key and Sickles, who had discovered that Key was having an affair with his wife, Teresa Bagioli Sickles. The event was highly publicized and shocked the nation, with many notable figures, including President James Buchanan and Senator Stephen Douglas, weighing in on the matter. The assassination was also linked to the Baltimore Plot and the Panic of 1857, which had created a sense of tension and instability in the country.

● Trial of Daniel Sickles

The trial of Daniel Sickles was a highly publicized and dramatic event, with many notable figures testifying on behalf of the defendant. The trial was presided over by Chief Justice Roger Taney and featured a defense team that included Edwin Stanton and James T. Brady. The prosecution, led by Robert Ould, argued that Sickles had committed a premeditated murder, while the defense argued that he had acted in a state of temporary insanity. The trial was also notable for its discussion of the unwritten law, which held that a husband had the right to kill his wife's lover in certain circumstances. The trial featured testimony from Senator William Seward, Senator Charles Sumner, and Representative John Forney, among others.

● Legacy

Philip Barton Key's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both his achievements as a lawyer and his tragic death. He is remembered as a skilled and charismatic attorney who played a significant role in the development of Washington, D.C. society. Key's death also had a profound impact on the city, leading to a re-evaluation of the unwritten law and the role of honor in American society. His legacy is also tied to that of Daniel Sickles, who went on to serve as a Union general during the American Civil War. Key's memory is honored by the Key Memorial in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C., and his family continues to be prominent in Maryland and Washington, D.C. society.

● Personal Life

Philip Barton Key was known for his charismatic personality and his love of society and politics. He was a member of the Metropolitan Club and the Alibi Club, and was acquainted with many notable figures, including President James Buchanan, Senator Stephen Douglas, and Representative John Forney. Key was also a close friend of Francis Scott Key and was involved in various charitable organizations, including the American Colonization Society. His personal life was marked by his affair with Teresa Bagioli Sickles, which ultimately led to his tragic death. Key's family was also connected to the Lee family of Virginia and the Custis family of Arlington, Virginia.