Stiles French

Stiles French (December 6, 1801 – May 9, 1881) was an American teacher and founder of the New Haven Collegiate and Commercial Institute, later known as the Russell Military Academy.

Early life Stiles French was born on December 6, 1801, in Bethany, a parish of Woodbridge, Connecticut, to Anna (née Johnson) and David French. At the age of 17, he taught at a district school and in the spring of 1823, he prepared for college. He graduated from Yale College in 1827. Following graduation, he pursued advanced scientific studies at Yale for two or three years.

Career French was a math teacher at "New Haven Gymnasium" from the spring of 1828 to the spring of 1831. He then became a mathematics teacher at Round Hill School in Northampton, Massachusetts, and remained there for two years.

French died of a kidney disease on May 9, 1881, at his home on Trumbull Street in New Haven.