FRENCH, SAMUEL

(1821-1898)

Born in Randolph, Massachusetts, Samuel French became a publisher of inexpensive editions of various literary works by the 1830s. In 1854, French, who also published plays via his French's American Drama series, made enough capital to buy out his major competitor, William Taylor and Company. French opened a branch of his growing organization in London in 1872 and during the late 19th century his company provided all manner of theatrical services, but ultimately settled on the publication of acting editions of plays and the licensing of those plays for performance, just as the company bearing his name continues to do today.