Born at Lynchburg, son of Captain William James McLeod and Effie McLean McLeod. Educated at Carlisle Fitting School, Bamberg; Wofford College, A.B., 1906; University of South Carolina, LL.B. 1911. School teacher, Blackstock Community, Fairfield and Chester Counties, 1906–08. Practiced in Sumter. Law partner: George D. Shore, 1920–58; Solicitor, Third Judicial Circuit, 1917–55. President, South Carolina Bar Association, 1950–51, Vice-President, 1949–50; Dean, Legislative Engrossing Service, S.C. General Assembly, 1937–49. President, Sumter Kiwanis Club, 1944–45; Lieutenant Governor, Columbia Division, Kiwanis International, 1945–46; Board of Trustees, Sumter Elks Club; First President, Clan McLeod Society of the Carolinas, 1952–54.
Member of Board of Stewards, Trinity Methodist Church; Teacher of McLeod-Wesley Bible Class, Trinity Methodist Church, and Kennedy’s Bible Class, St. Mark’s Methodist Church.
Fearless prosecutor, Bar leader and respected public servant. Married Eudora Dwight Kirk. Three children: Frank A. McLeod, Jr., R. Kirk McLeod and Marion McLeod Alston.