FRENCH, Benjamin Franklin, historian, born in Richmond, Virginia, 8 June 1799; died in New York City, 30 May 1877. He studied law, but abandoned it on account of failing health. From his early manhood he contributed to magazines and newspapers. He removed to Louisiana in 1830, and engaged in planting and commerce, continuing his literary work and collecting an extensive library, which he afterward presented to the Fiske free library of New Orleans. In 1853 he removed to New York, and, retiring from business, devoted himself to historical writing. He published "Biographia Americana" (New York, 1825); "Memoirs of Eminent Female Writers" (Philadelphia, 1827); " Beauties of Byron, Scott, and Moore" (New York, 1828); "Historical Collections of Louisiana" (1846'58); "History and Progress of the Iron Trade of the United States" (1858); and "Historical Annals of North America" (1861).