(1753-1816)
James McHenry was born in Ireland in 1753.
He came to America alone in 1771; the next year he talked his family into coming too.
He studied poetry and medicine and did hospital work during the Revolution.
In 1781 he left the military to join the Maryland Senate.
McHenry also served in the Continental Congress.
He was called away from the Philadelphia Convention because of family illness and missed all of June and July’s sessions.
After the convention he served in the Maryland Legislature and as secretary of war.
After retiring in 1800, he spent much of his time writing.
