Author Lori Swerda recently spoke to the Francis Scott Key Lions Club about her historical novel. Swerda, author of “Star Spangled Scandal,” spoke of her journey in researching and writing about the Key and Sickles families; her book seeks to solve the question of authorship of the anonymous letter received by Rep. Daniel Sickles about his wife Teresa’s affair with attorney Philip Barton Key, which led to Sickles murdering Key, the youngest son of Francis Scott Key. Sickles later became the first person to be acquitted with a defense of temporary insanity.
Lion President Duane Voitel and speaker Lori Swerda with a copy of her book, “Star Spangled Scandal”
