Born in Rochester, New York. Graduate of Columbia Medical College in 1888. Obstetrician and gynecologist. William Sheldon called him "the jolly abortionist." Married to Mary A. She died in 1927. They had a daughter.

President of the Rochester Numismatic Association in 1912. At the 1911 to 1917 ANA conventions and again in 1928, he exhibited an excellent collection of U. S. large cents. He also exhibited at the ANS in 1914. Many were uncirculated with none poorer than very fine. By 1917 he had about 900 varieties. In that year he acted as auctioneer for the ANA convention sale. He was also elected first vice president of the ANA. In 1919 he ran for president of the ANA but was defeated by Waldo Moore.

French was a very sociable man who entertained conventions with his poetry. He collected stamps, clocks, firearms and other antiques.

French sold his primary collection of 832 cents to B. Max Mehl March 21, 1929, for a reported $50.000. Mehl issued a catalog to sell them at fixed prices in May 1930. They appeared on the market during the depression and many remained unsold.

French coins were sold at several auctions. Some were sold by the United States Coin Co. December 5, 1917. Others were sold by California Stamp Company November 14, 1930. The Bluestone sale of February 17-18, 1933, had 549 lots of French cents. French appears on a medal struck in 1913 for the first anniversary of the Rochester Numismatic Association. It was sculpted by Joseph A. Koeb who was a member of the ANA and the Rochester Numismatic Association. Four pieces were struck in silver and 50 in bronze. French died at home in Rochester, New York.

bio: CAT Bluestone (photo)

obit: NUM 46 Jan 1933 p. 38-39 photo: NUM 25 Aug 1912 page 257