He was mayor of the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas.

He attended Maryland's Mount St. Mary's University and furthered his education in Paris, France.

Giraud was the architect of Ursuline Academy, St. Mary's University and the reconstruction of the Cathedral of San Fernando.

He also defined the boundaries for the San Antonio Missions.

His biography, F. Giraud and San Antonio, was written by San Antonio artist and civic activist Emily Edwards.