Ralph Tomlinson


Ralph Tomlinson, was a British lyricist best known for writing the original lyrics to "The Anacreontic Song". The music from the Anacreontic Song would be set as the music for The Star Spangled Banner, which would become the American national anthem in 1931. In 1776, he became the President of the Anacreontic Society, after the death of the previous President, George Bellas.

Star Spangled Banner

Early publications of the song ascribe its lyrics to the Society's president, Ralph Tomlinson. Tomlinson was baptized in Plemstall, Cheshire, in 1744; by 1766 he was a lawyer working in London. Tomlinson likely became president of the Society following the death of the previous president, George Bellas, in January 1776. The lyrics are "a good-natured takeoff on a bit of pseudoclassical mythology". Tomlinson died in March 1778 at the age of thirty-three.
Ralph Tomlinson and John Stafford Smith were credited for composing the music for The Anacreontic Song: a song that was used to put music to Francis Scott Key's poem, Defence of Fort M’Henry. The song became the United States National anthem on March 3, 1931. Long before songs were protected by copyright, the melodies of songs were used by anyone without compensation. The song was written for a social club. John Stafford Smith wrote the music and Tomlinson, who was president of the club, wrote the lyrics.

Writings

Tomlinson was the author of A Slang Pastoral, a parody of John Byrom's poem that begins "My Time, O ye Muses, was happily spent," that was originally published in The Spectator.

Further Reading