Francis Joseph Sherman, eldest son of Louis Walsh and Alice (Maxwell) Sherman, was born on 3 February 1871 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. As a youth, he explored the rivers and woods near home and especially enjoyed camping on Camp Comfort Island. While studying at the local Collegiate School, Sherman came under the influence of George R. Parkin. At age 15, he enrolled in arts courses at the University of New Brunswick and was later followed there by his brother Louis Ralph Sherman. Another brother, Lawrence, was killed in action during the Great War.

In 1887 Sherman moved to Woodstock, NB, where he was employed in the Merchants' Bank of Halifax (later the Royal Bank). In a short time, he rose to the position of assistant general manager, and when in 1892 a branch of the bank opened in Fredericton, Sherman took a position as clerk. By 1898 he had risen to the position of manager, at the time being the youngest person holding that office in Canada. The following year he was appointed assistant manager of the Montreal office, and was later transferred to Havana as assistant agent.

Sherman, however, had also taken an interest in writing poetry. In 1896 his first book of verse, Matins was published, and within a few months his In Memorabilia Mortis (1896) appeared. His other published works include, A Prelude (1897), The Deserted City (1899), and his last collection of poems, A Canadian Calendar: XII Lyrics (1900). For the balance of his life, he continued his banking career, remained a dedicated bibliophile, and enjoyed swimming and yachting. During the First World War he joined the Officers Training Corps of McGill University and served overseas.

In 1919 Sherman retired from the Royal Bank on pension and moved to Atlantic City. In 1921 he married his long-time friend Ruth Ann Sullivan of Philadelphia, and they had two sons, Francis and Jerry. Francis Sherman died at Atlantic City on 15 June 1926. He is buried at Forest Hills Cemetery, Fredericton.

Source: Canadian Who Was Who, 1875-1933