Frank Angelo was born on September 6, 1914, in Detroit, the son of Italian immigrants. Angelo graduated from Wayne State University in 1934 and began work at the Detroit News. He started as a copy boy, advancing to become a copy editor and sports reporter.
In 1941 Angelo joined the Detroit Free Press, where he worked in the sports department until entering the navy in October 1942. After his discharge in 1945, Angelo returned to the Free Press. He became feature editor in 1950 and managing editor in 1955. During the time Angelo was the managing editor, the Detroit Free Press won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the 1967 Detroit riots. In 1971 he was named associate executive editor and began writing his column. Angelo retired from the Detroit Free Press in 1981, but continued to write throughout his retirement.
Angelo has been an active and influential member of several professional organizations. He was national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, (1967-1970) and president of the Michigan Press Association. He has written several books including, Yesterday's Detroit, and Yesterday's Michigan, and has received many journalism honors.
Angelo has also been an active member in many philanthropic and community organizations as well as social agencies in Detroit throughout his life. These include the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Executive Service Corps, the International Institute, and United Community Services.
From the guide to the Frank Angelo Papers, 1941-1995, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
