Frank Boykin grew up in a large family and left formal education early to support his family. He began his career at a young age, working his way up from a water boy to a dispatcher and conductor on a railroad construction crew. By his mid-teens, he managed the railroad's commissary and later built the first brick store in Washington County. Boykin expanded his business interests to include sawmills and real estate, and he became an executive in shipbuilding during World War I. Despite legal challenges, including high-profile whiskey trials and a bribery conviction, he remained active in business and politics, serving multiple terms in Congress and advocating for specific economic policies.

Frank Boykin's political identity is marked by a complex blend of wartime internationalism and staunch segregationist principles. His advocacy for aiding the United Kingdom during World War II contrasts sharply with his firm support for racial segregation at home, evidenced by his opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Boykin's rhetorical style often juxtaposes these seemingly contradictory stances, revealing a deeply localized approach that prioritizes regional and industrial interests over broader national ideals. His personal history of legal entanglements, including bribery convictions and Prohibition-era whiskey trials, further complicates his public persona, suggesting a calculated approach to navigating political and legal challenges.