Frank McCourt came to attention in 1996 with the publication of Angela's Ashes, a memoir of his childhood in Ireland in the 1930s and '40s. The book won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography and was made into an Oscar-nominated movie. He's since written two other books: 'Tis, about his life in NYC as a young man, and Teacher Man, about the 30 years he spent working in the New York City public school system.
Success as a writer arrived later in life for McCourt; he was 65 years old when Angela's Ashes was published. He says he never dared to even dream that the book could be such a success.
McCourt spoke as part of the 2007-2008 Philadelphia Speakers Series presented by Widener University, and sponsored by WRTI.