McCourt, Frank (Francis) (1933- )

Irish-American writer. His memoir Angela's Ashes (1996; filmed in 1999) became the literary sensation of the 1990s, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award (US), the Los Angeles Times Book Award, and the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for autobiography. The poignancy, humour, and honesty with which he wrote of his impoverished youth in Ireland before emigrating to the USA captivated readers around the world.

McCourt was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Limerick, Ireland. He has also published a second memoir, 'Tis (1999), chronicling his life in the USA.