40 Facts About Thomas Frank

Early Life and Education

Thomas Frank's journey began in the heartland of America, where his early experiences and education laid the foundation for his multifaceted career.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on March 21, 1965, in Kansas City, Missouri, Frank grew up in a region known for its rich cultural and historical significance.
2. Education: He graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School, a stepping stone that led him to further academic pursuits.
3. University of Virginia: Frank transferred to the University of Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1988.
4. Master’s Degree: He continued his education at the University of Kansas, where he received a Master of Arts degree in history in 1990.
5. Doctoral Degree: Frank earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Chicago in 1994, showcasing his dedication to understanding the past.
6. Thesis: His doctoral thesis, "The Conquest of Cool: Business Culture, Counterculture, and the Rise of Hip Consumerism," was later published by the University of Chicago Press.

Career in Journalism and Writing

Thomas Frank's career in journalism and writing has been marked by insightful critiques and thought-provoking analyses.

7. Career in Journalism: Frank is the founding editor of The Baffler magazine and a contributing editor of Harper's Magazine.
8. Author of Notable Books: His notable books include "One Market Under God" (2000), "The Conquest of Cool" (1997), "What's the Matter with Kansas?" (2004), "Listen, Liberal" (2016), and "The People, No" (2020).
9. Columnist: From 2008 to 2010, Frank wrote "The Tilting Yard," a column in The Wall Street Journal.
10. Political Analyst: Frank has written extensively on American electoral politics and propaganda, making him a prominent political analyst.
11. Historian of Culture and Ideas: His research focuses on trends in American electoral politics, propaganda, advertising, popular culture, mainstream journalism, and economics.

Political Views and Advocacy

Frank's political views and advocacy work have made him a significant voice in contemporary political discourse.

12. Critique of Conservatism: Initially a College Republican, Frank became highly critical of conservatism, as evident in his book "The Wrecking Crew" (2008).
13. Social Justice Advocate: In October 2005, Frank received the Eugene Debs Award for his work in the field of social justice.
14. Support for Bernie Sanders: Frank identifies as a left-wing populist and supported Bernie Sanders's 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.
15. Predicting Trump’s Victory: In "Listen, Liberal," Frank foresaw that Donald Trump could win the 2016 United States presidential election.
16. Critique of Trump: Frank has called Trump "the worst politician ever" but maintained that Trump could be reelected in the 2020 presidential election.
17. Observations on Quasi-Fascist Movements: Frank observes that "quasi-fascist movements" are springing up around the world.
18. Research on U.S. Populism: His book "The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism" examines the origin of the term in the United States and discusses historical examples of populism and its adherents and detractors.

Other Notable Works and Public Appearances

Frank's contributions extend beyond books and articles, as he has also made notable public appearances and participated in documentaries.

19. Other Notable Works: Frank’s other notable works include "Pity the Billionaire" (2011) and "Rendezvous with Oblivion" (2018).
20. Public Appearances: Frank has appeared in several documentaries, including "The Trap" (BBC documentary series) and "American Feud: A History of Conservatives and Liberals" (film).
21. Recognition: Frank’s work has been recognized internationally, earning him nationwide and international recognition for his writings.

Thomas Frank the Author and Educator

Thomas Frank is also known for his contributions to education, particularly through his work with College Info Geek and other educational platforms.

22. College Info Geek Founder: Frank is the founder of College Info Geek, a website focused on study strategies and productivity tips.
23. YouTube Creator: With over 1.7 million subscribers and 96 million total views, Frank’s YouTube channel is a significant platform for educational content.
24. Author of "10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades": This book, available as a free download, print book, or audiobook, has been read by over 300,000 students and is used as a textbook in several study skills courses.
25. Crash Course Study Skills Host: Frank hosted Crash Course Study Skills, which lives on the Crash Course channel started by Hank and John Green.
26. Skillshare Classes Creator: He created two original classes on Skillshare, one on productivity systems and one on habit development, which are among the most popular on the platform.
27. Podcast Host: Frank started a podcast with his friend Martin Boehme that has garnered over 12 million downloads.

Personal Life and Interests

Beyond his professional achievements, Thomas Frank has a rich personal life filled with unique hobbies and interests.

28. Parkour Enthusiast: Frank has been fascinated by parkour for more than 10 years and enjoys the physical challenge it provides.
29. Impossible List: He maintains an ever-growing list of crazy goals that he calls his Impossible List.
30. Dance Dance Revolution Addict: Frank is ridiculously good at Dance Dance Revolution and has an irrational hatred of projector light shows used during holidays.
31. Traveler: In May 2012, Frank traveled to Japan, which he described as absolutely amazing.
32. Amateur Figure Skater: He is an amateur figure skater and finds the sport to be incredibly fun once you get the basics down.
33. Coffee Obsession: Frank has a borderline-unhealthy obsession with coffee and is also a cyclist.

Early Career and Technological Interests

Frank's early career and interest in technology played a crucial role in shaping his entrepreneurial spirit.

34. Initial Career in Web Design: Before focusing on education and politics, Frank started his first entrepreneurial venture, Radiant Web Design, where he built websites for teachers and local companies.
35. Early Interest in Technology: At 12 years old, Frank began teaching himself HTML and CSS to build his own website, which was initially a fan site for Zao, a band he hadn’t even heard of at the time.
36. Business Turnaround: In 2013, College Info Geek turned into a full-time business for Frank, allowing him to write, film videos, and record podcasts.
37. Global Reach: Over 3.5 million students visited College Info Geek in the last year, and their articles and videos are used in classrooms around the world.
38. Audiobook Edition: The audiobook edition of "10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades" was published by Brilliance Publishing in 2018.
39. YouTube Milestones: Frank’s YouTube channel has achieved significant milestones, including over 96 million total views and 1.7 million subscribers.
40. Skillshare Popularity: His classes on Skillshare are among the most popular on the platform, indicating his expertise in productivity systems and habit development.

Thomas Frank: A Multifaceted Influencer

Thomas Frank's journey showcases his diverse talents and interests. From his early life in Kansas City to earning a Ph.D. in history, Frank's academic achievements laid a strong foundation. His career in journalism and as an author has made him a prominent voice in political analysis and cultural critique. Notable works like "What's the Matter with Kansas?" and "Listen, Liberal" highlight his deep understanding of American politics.

Frank's educational contributions through College Info Geek and his popular YouTube channel have impacted countless students. His passion for productivity, study strategies, and personal development is evident in his work.

Beyond his professional life, Frank's personal interests, like parkour and figure skating, add another layer to his multifaceted personality. Whether through his writings, videos, or public appearances, Thomas Frank continues to influence and inspire across various fields.