Frank McCourt
From poverty-stricken emigrant to literary star, the life of this Irish- American author perfectly exemplifies the American dream. Born in Brooklyn to Irish immigrants, his family returned to Ireland during the Great Depression and the author would spend his formative years struggling to survive while growing up in the depressing slums of Limerick, before finally returning to the land of the free where Frank McCourt eventually became an English teacher for three decades. After retiring at the age of 60, McCourt decided he was finally ready to reveal to the world the harrowing details of his destitute childhood, which was penned in his debut, Angela’s Ashes. Written with astounding humour and compassion, this tragicomic memoir not only transformed McCourt into a millionaire but also earned him multiple awards, including a Pulitzer Prize. Between 1998 and 2005, McCourt released more books, including “Tis, a follow-up to his critically acclaimed memoir, before passing away in New York in 2009 at age 78.” – Maya Michael
