Dr. Frank A. Crossley

Dr. Frank A. Crossley (1925-2018), originally from Chicago, IL, was a 20-year resident of Framingham. He was a metallurgical engineer and pioneer in titanium. His work significantly advanced titanium metallurgy — the process of extracting and refining titanium to create stronger, more durable materials to use in the space and medical industries. In 1950, Dr. Crossley became the first African American in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering, making history at only 25 years old. Over his career, he was awarded seven patents, five for titanium-base alloys, which improved materials used both in aerospace and aircraft technology, and in the medical field.

In 1983, Dr. Crossley was granted U.S. Patent 4,420,460 for "Grain Refinement of Titanium Alloys," a method for producing fine-grain titanium alloys, revolutionizing their use in high-performance industries.

Dr. Crossley’s career spanned academia, industry, and government. He taught at Tennessee A&I State University [currently called Tennessee State University; they've dropped the "A&I" part]  and the Illinois Institute of Technology before moving to aerospace companies, Lockheed Missiles & Space Company and Aerojet. His work earned numerous accolades, including Fellow, American Society for Metals, International (1978), Alumni Medal of Honor (IIT, 2009), citation in Who's Who in the World (2010 until his death), and a posthumous Minerals, Metals & Materials Society Fellow award in 2019, recognizing his impact on materials science.

Beyond his technical achievements, Dr. Crossley was a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM. He tutored students in math and science from 1948 to 2012, focusing on at-risk youth. In Chicago, he inspired three neighbors to earn PhDs in the 1960s. Their thinking was "Crossley's not that smart. If he can do it, then so can I." He was an active member of the Greater Framingham Community Church and served on the Concerned Parents of Color board. Dr. Crossley believed in the power of representation, famously stating, “It is important to encourage the dreams of others” and "If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a meaningful one-on-one exchange is worth a thousand pictures." 

Dr. Crossley relocated to Framingham in 1997 following the passing of his wife, Elaine, in 1996. He would continue his legacy of mentoring, community service, and leadership in professional organizations there, until his own passing in 2018. Frank A. Crossley’s life’s work is a testament to his resilience, commitment to diversity in STEM, and lasting impact on both the materials that shape our world and the individuals he mentored.