Born at Chichester, Sussex, on 7 December 1861, son of George French, bookseller, and his wife Elizabeth Best. He was educated at the Philological College, London, at St Mary's Hospital, and at Durham University. At St Mary's he won scholarships in anatomy and physiology and served as house physician, house surgeon, casualty officer, and assistant anaesthetist. After a period as resident medical officer at the London Male Lock Hospital and as surgeon to out-patients at St Paul's Hospital, he settled in practice at Hornsey, and became surgeon St Barnabas Cottage Hospital, Clerkenwell. He was a member of the Harveian Society. In later years he lived at Muswell Hill. French married Emily Garland in 1886. He was survived by their only daughter, Mrs J L Savage, with whom he went to live in Canada on retiring in 1938. He died at her house, 93 Garfield Avenue, Toronto, on 11 October 1947 aged 85.