Frank McCourt, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Of Angela's Ashes, Dead At 78

Frank McCourt, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, Angela's Ashes, has died. Mr. McCourt passed away in Manhattan July 19th, at the age of 78. The cause was metastatic melanoma, according to Mr. McCourt's brother, Malachy McCourt.

Noted for his writing, McCourt, formerly a public school teacher for nearly 30 years, is most famous for his 1997 Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, Angela's Ashes. The book tells the story of his childhood in Brooklyn and Ireland. McCourt ventured into the theatre with a 1997 musical play, The Irish ... and How They Got That Way. Along with his brother Malachy, McCourt created and starred in A Couple of Blaguards. McCourt

Following the success of Angela's Ashes, McCourt wrote another memoir, 1999's 'Tis, which begins where the Angela's Ashes left off. In 2005, he released another memoir, Teacher Man, which describes and reflects on his teaching experiences in New York high schools and colleges. 2005 also saw the release of his children's Christmas book, Angela and the Baby Jesus.

Frank McCourt is survived by his third wife, Ellen, and a daughter from his first marriage, Maggie, as well as three brothers; Alphie, Michael and Malachy.