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Frank Aiken was born on February 13, 1896 at Camlough in County Armagh. He was educated at Newry CBS and in 1914 he joined the Irish Volunteers. In 1921 he became commandant of the 4th Northern Division of the IRA. In this role he led many attacks against British forces. When the Civil WarThe Irish Civil War ( June, 1922 April, 1923) was a conflict between supporters and opponents of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 6 December 1921 which had established the Irish Free State, precursor of today's Republic of Ireland. Upon the Treaty's ratification broke out in 1922Events January 7 Dali Eireann ratifies the Anglo-Irish Treaty by 64-57 votes. January 10 Arthur Griffith is elected President of Dail Eireann January 11 First successful insulin treatment of diabetes. January 12 British government releases Irish prisoners Aiken tried to remain neutral for as long as possible. In April 1923Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 Events January 1 Grouping of all UK railway companies into four larg he succeeded Liam LynchLiam Lynch is the name of more than one person of note. Liam Lynch Irish Republican Army General. Liam Lynch Irish playwright. Liam Lynch Liverpool based musician of the CD "Fake Songs", comedian/puppeteer, co-creator of the television show Sifl & Olly. in becoming Chief of Staff of the IRA. On May 24May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). There are 221 days remaining. Events 1153 Malcolm IV becomes King of Scotland. 1218 The Fifth Crusade leaves for Egypt. 1430 Joan of Arc is captured at Compiegne. 1487 Im of that year he gave the order to 'cease fire and dump arms.' The Civil War was over..

Aiken was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1923Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 Events January 1 Grouping of all UK railway companies into four larg as a Republican Anti-Treaty TD. In 1926 he became a founder-member of Eamon de Valera's Fianna Fáil Party. In 1932 Fianna Fáil came to power for the first time and Aiken was appointed Minister for Defence. During World War II Aiken served as Minister for Co-ordination of Defensive Measures, in the government which followed The Emergency, Aiken was appointed Minister for Finance.

Between 1951 and 1969 (except from 1954 to 1957 when Fianna Fáil were in opposition) Aiken served as Minister for External Affairs. At the United Nations he won the respect and admiration of smaller nations for taking an independent stance, on behalf of Ireland, on a range of controversial issues. In 1965 Aiken was appointed Tánaiste under Sean Lemass. He was also appointed Tánaiste under Jack Lynch the following year. He introduced the so-called 'Aiken Plan' to the United Nations in an effort to combine disarmament and peace in the Middle East. He received the honour to sign as first minister the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968 in Moscow.

Aiken retired from Ministerial office in 1969. During the Arms Crisis it is said that the Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, turned to Aiken for advice on a number of issues. He is supposed to have retired from politics in 1973 due to the fact that Charles Haughey, whom Aiken disliked, was allowed run with the support of Fianna Fáil in the general election. Aiken received many award and accolades from Irish universities and was a life-long promoter of the Irish language.

Frank Aiken died on May 18, 1983 in Dublin.