Frank McCourt
1930-
Irish Roots Frank McCourt was born in Brooklyn, New York, where his parents had recently immigrated from Ireland. When his father had trouble keeping a job in New York, the family moved back to their homeland. McCourt was four years old at the time and lived with his family in Limerick, Ireland, until he was 19. It is this period of his life that the author describes in his memoir Angela's Ashes.
Family Poverty Because of a serious drinking problem, McCourt's father was fired from most of his jobs and usually spent whatever money he made in the pubs. Consequently, the family often had little money for food and was forced to seek help from local charities and the Irish welfare program. McCourt's mother, Angela, struggled constantly to keep the family clothed and fed. His baby sister and twin brothers died from childhood diseases that might have been prevented with better living conditions and proper medical care.
Musical Revue to Bestseller When he was 19, McCourt returned to the United States, where he eventually attended New York University. In one of his first careers, he and his brother Malachy performed a musical act about their Irish background. For many years McCourt was a high school writing teacher in New York City, where he still lives today. Published in 1996, Angela's Ashes earned outstanding reviews, quickly became a bestseller, and won prestigious awards.
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