Frank Albert Picard

Who was Frank Albert Picard?

Frank Albert Picard was an American attorney, political figure, and federal judge from Michigan. He also played college football as a quarterback of the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1909 to 1911.

Picard was born in Saginaw, Michigan, one of 12 children of Alfred and Zepherine Picard. At an early age he hoped to become an acrobat, joining his brothers who performed as the "Flying Picards" to circus audiences. Pichard's father, a hotelkeeper, disapproved and put an end to his sons' circus act. Picard attended Saginaw High School, where he was a member of the student council and captain of the football team. After graduating from high school, Picard worked as a journalist on the Saginaw Daily News and Courier Herald, and was managing editor of the Saginaw Exponent.

Picard received an LL.B. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1912 and was admitted to the bar the same year. He was an assistant prosecuting attorney of Saginaw County, Michigan in 1913 before commencing private practice in Saginaw.

In May 1917, after four years in private practice, Picard entered the United States Army, where he held the rank of captain and saw action in France. In 1919, Picard returned to Saginaw and resumed private practice. In 1920 he ran for the Lieutenant Governor of Michigan but was defeated. On June 8, 1921, Picard married Ruth Caroline Doersan of Saginaw. They had and four children, two boys and two girls.