Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Jr.
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| Born | March 17, 1911 |
| Died | February 18, 2001 (aged 89) |
| Education | University of Michigan |
| Parent(s) | Frank Bunker Gilbreth Lillian Evelyn Moller |
| Relatives | Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, (sister) Robert Moller Gilbreth, (brother) |
Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. (born March 17, 1911 – died February 18, 2001) was an American journalist and author. He is best known for writing two popular books with his sister, Ernestine. These books, Cheaper by the Dozen (1948) and Belles on Their Toes (1950), were based on their own family's funny and busy life. Both books were later made into movies! Frank Jr. also wrote many other books and a long-running newspaper column.
Contents
Growing Up and School
Frank Gilbreth Jr. was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. He was the fifth child and the first boy in a very large family of 12 children! His parents, Frank Bunker Gilbreth and Lillian Moller Gilbreth, were experts in making things more efficient. Frank Jr. grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, and went to Montclair High School. Later, he went to the University of Michigan. While there, he was the editor of the college newspaper, The Michigan Daily.
A Life of Writing
Frank Gilbreth Jr. had a long and interesting career, especially in writing.
Serving His Country
During World War II, Frank Jr. served as an officer in the United States Navy. He was stationed in the South Pacific and took part in important military actions. For his service, he received two air medals and a bronze star, which are awards for bravery.
Writing for Newspapers
In 1947, Frank Jr. moved to Charleston, South Carolina. He started working at The Post and Courier, which is the main newspaper in the city. He became an editorial writer and a columnist. For many years, he wrote a popular column called Doing the Charleston. He used the special writing name, or pen name, of Ashley Cooper for this column. He kept writing it until 1993! Frank Jr. retired from the newspaper in 2001.
Famous Books About His Family
Frank Jr. is most famous for the books he wrote with his older sister, Ernestine. Their books, Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes, were huge bestsellers. These stories were mostly true and shared funny and heartwarming moments from their lives growing up in a family of 12 children. Cheaper by the Dozen was made into a movie in 1950, and Belles on Their Toes became a movie in 1952. Frank Jr. also wrote other books on his own, often about family life and his relatives.
His Family Life
Frank Gilbreth Jr. was married two times. His first wife was Elizabeth Cauthen, and they had a daughter named Elizabeth. After Elizabeth's death in 1954, he married Mary Pringle Manigault in 1955. They were married until his death in 2001. Frank and Mary had two children, a son named Edward and a daughter named Rebecca.
Later Years and Passing
Frank Gilbreth Jr. passed away in 2001 at the age of 89. He died in Charleston, South Carolina, where he had lived for more than 50 years. He also had a family home in Nantucket, Massachusetts, which his father had bought way back in 1921.
