Born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1919, Frank was orphaned at 18 months and grew up in foster homes, reform schools and jails. At age 16, he was convicted of killing a prison guard and was sentenced to death. This was commuted to life and he spent the next 15 years in a penitentiary. There he completed his high school education and become the first prisoner in Canada to take University courses behind bars.

Paroled in 1951, he completed his Bachelor of Arts and took a Masters in Social Work. Joining the John Howard Society, he became a parole officer and visitor to the penitentiary where he had served life. Entering private practice, he developed a two-year course in human behaviour which was adopted by several colleges and is still taught to social workers, nurses and criminology students. These students have established a scholarship in his name.

He was pardoned and appointed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to the National Parole Board in 1974. Placed in charge of the Prairie Region which covered Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the North West Territories, he held this position until his retirement. In 1998, the University of Ottawa created the Frank W. Anderson Archives of Criminology which will serve as a resource center for students across Canada.

Frank married Edna Marshal in 1955; they have 2 children, four grandchildren and are retired in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Frank Anderson passed away on Thursday, April 10th, 2008 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.