Introduction
Frank E. Mann (May 1, 1920 – April 25, 2007) was a politician from the state of Virginia. He served as mayor of Alexandria for three terms in the sixties and seventies, and was a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1970 to 1975.
Early life
Frank Mann was born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 1, 1920, and moved to Washington, D.C. as a boy. His mother was a descendant of Alexandria's historic Lee family. He graduated from McKinley Technology High School and was a 1941 graduate of George Washington University. During World War II, he served with the Seabees in the Navy and won a Bronze Star.
Politics
Mann was elected mayor of Alexandria, Virginia in 1961. During his first two terms as mayor he refused a salary; favoring instead to give it to city employees seeking specialized training. He left his position as mayor in 1967, and ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1969. He was elected and spent five years in the Virginia General Assembly, until he ran for mayor again in 1976 as an Independent. He defeated Democrat Melvin Bergheim and served until 1979, when he was defeated for reelection by Charles E. Beatley by a near two to one margin. He never held elected office again.
Death
Mann died on April 25, 2007 of Prostate cancer at his home in old town Alexandria. He was survived by his wife of thirty two years, Anita, and two children.