George Washington French (1882-1970) was born in Kezar Falls, Maine to John F. (1851-1926) and Francena (Towle) French (1860-1950). George was the second of four children. His older brother William R. (1879-1953) known as Will, was a Maine Guide. He also had a younger sister Mabel D. Bragdon and a younger brother Earnest “Ern” (1891-1916).

He attended Parsonsfield Seminary, Bridgton Academy, and Bates College where he excelled as an athlete. He taught and coached at Deerfield and Monson academies. In the summer of 1911, he married Margaret B. Sears in Hawley, Massachusetts. They had two children Donald Sears (1912-1996) and Barbara Louise (1915-). During this time he worked as an executive for the Boy Scouts of America.

In the early 1920s the family relocated to New Jersey. In 1922 he decided to devote all of his time to his greatest interest, photography. For many years his photographs won awards and were printed on calendars and as greeting cards. In 1936 he became the official photographer for the Maine Development Commission.

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George French Papers

George French Photographs