Frederick W. Ford (September 17, 1909 – July 26, 1986) was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. He was a graduate of West Virginia University, where he studied law ("Frederick W. Ford" B6). A Republican, he was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission in 1957, and after the chairman, John C. Doerfer, was forced to resign after allegations of conflict of interest, President Dwight D. Eisenhower named him to take over as Chairman of the FCC. Ford served in that role from March 15, 1960 to March 1, 1961. During his time as the Chairman, he was praised for being a man of integrity. One media critic called him "one of the most all-around competent commissioners ever to sit on the FCC" (Gould D25).