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Marilyn French Obituary
French died of heart failure Saturday at a Manhattan hospital, said Carol Jenkins, a friend and president of New York's Women's Media Center.
Her 1977 first novel, "The Women's Room," transformed the college teacher into a feminist leader whose aim was "to change the entire social and economic structure of Western civilization, to make it a feminist world," she once said.
The landmark novel, which was translated into 20 languages, details the journey to independence of a 1950s housewife who gets divorced and goes to graduate school. The book mirrored aspects of French's own life experiences, including the rape of her daughter.
She was called anti-male after a character in the novel says: "All men are rapists, and that's all they are. Th ey rape us with their eyes, their laws, and their codes."
"Those words came from a character, and she was not a man-hater, and never said that in her personal life," Jenkins said. "But she wanted men to accept their part in the domination of women."
Still, the novel "connected with millions of women who had no way before of claiming their anger and discontent," Jenkins said.
The male subjugation of women is the main theme of French's novels, essays, literary criticism and her four-volume, nonfictional "From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women."
A Brooklyn native, French graduated from Long Island's Hofstra University with a master's degree, studying philosophy and English literature. She taught there in the 1960s. After her divorce, she earned a doctorate from Harvard and was an English professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
A smoker, she survived a battle with esophageal cancer in 1992 that included a 10-day coma she describ e d in "Season in Hell: A Memoir."
Her last novel is to be published this fall, and she was also working on a memoir.
French is survived by her son, Robert French, of East Brunswick, N.J., and daughter Jamie French, of Cambridge, Mass.
A memorial is planned for June in New York.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
39 Entries
Jan Howarth
June 8, 2011
I read the Bleeding Heart when I was a junior in high school--peak of the sixties--it blew me away! Now it is some 35 years later and just read Her Mother's Daughter......fabulous... Now I just found out that she has passed away---I am heartbroken. I guess I want to tell her family what a gap she filled in my life---way back then and now...she will live on in me as long as I breath!!
Joy Bergfalk
November 21, 2010
I don't know that anyone will see this, but today is Marilyn French's birthday. I can't remember when I read The Women's Room, but of course, it was incredible. How great to hear what an influence her life had on so many people!
Heidi F
November 17, 2009
I have been reading the books From Eve to Dawn: History of Women in the World and wanted to write Marilyn to tell her that I have found them profound. I am sorry to her she has passed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She was a very insightful woman.
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Asia Kennedy
November 6, 2009
I am deeply sad to have read that Ms French died. As a young woman who was both blessed and cursed to be raised a feminist, I find myself lonely and disenchanted. Its hard to know you stand only cos of the sweat and tears of so many great women like Marilyn, when your peers, the young women who are able to attend uni, and be themselves, are so desperate not to be seen as feminist. I am sad not to have had the pleasure of knowing her. Marilyn, Thankyou for the light your work has shone on my life. On my mothers life. And i hope my daughters.
October 10, 2009
I started to read Season in Hell:A Memoir in May 2009. Thank you for the support you gave me through my own battle. I have started to read all your books again.
Audur R. Gunnarsdottir, Reykjavik, Iceland
yvonne cleland
October 9, 2009
The world has lost a great great woman and human being. The woman's movement has lost one of the most thorough and academic researchers it has ever had. Reading Marilyn French's works affirms my beliefs and helps me change my life.
Yvonne Cleland. Battle, East Sussex, England.
Jacinta Gaynor
September 27, 2009
I read "The Women's Room" in 1977 at the age of 18. It made me realize that there was nothing wrong with my desire to be treated as equal to men. The road ahead would prove to be an arduous one and we still don't have equality in 2009. It is a disappointing arrangement we have here on earth but you moved my heart, Ms.French.
Jacinta M. Gaynor (Columbus, Ohio)
Dawn Baker
July 1, 2009
I read 'The Woman's Room' when it was first published - still have it in hardback, as well as her historical works. A great feminist and a wonderful dame!
Kathleen Duerr
May 18, 2009
I read "The Women's Room" in the early 80's, and it changed my life. I was strengthened and used the book to teach others. I am a motivator and built my foundation on these ideas. God bless the family, although you have already been blessed in abundance. You must be incredible offspring.
Leanne Nandey
May 17, 2009
Thank you.
Linda Witt
May 17, 2009
Marilyn, we will miss your great insights into the lives of women and your carefully documented histories...you gave us permission to be whole and not an appendage.
May 11, 2009
Dear Marilyn, Thank you for your bravery. You made a difference. To your children, please know that you can hold your chins up high. I wish you the best after such a deep loss.
Peg Murphy
May 9, 2009
Her writings and being changed my life and gave me courage to be a whole, free woman and live a life of my own. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Her legacy will live on.
Rosemary Pettigrew
May 9, 2009
To The French Family, I wish to express my deepest sympathy. I hope that this scripture from the Bible will be of comfort. John 11: 1-44.
Rebeca
May 7, 2009
What an amazing person! It will be great to see her reaction as the whole Earth is under God's promised kingdom where all men & women will be treated with honor! (Acts 10:34)
Cindy
May 7, 2009
RIP.....
Thank you Marilyn for your contributions to the world....
Amanda Casha
May 7, 2009
She was an extraordinary woman. She had the ability and used it to give voice to many generations of women. This world is
a better place because of her contribution to us all. Thanks, Marilyn..Rest well!
Henryk Zaleski
May 7, 2009
Rest in peace.
Allyson Hayward
May 6, 2009
She was the writer who influenced my early adult year most, setting the stage for a love affair with other strong female voices: Piercy, Morrison, Walker, Kingsolver. A life well lived...thanks for the many gifts.
Mary
May 6, 2009
Marilyn French is a Great Woman of our time who deserves our deepest gratitude. She had the Courage to speak the Truth. If more of us were like her, patriarchy and all forms of male violence against women would be a thing of the (wayward) past.
Thank You Marilyn.
Kathy Cook
May 6, 2009
marilyn, you will be with us always
Kathy Cook
Columbus,ohio
B Breen
May 6, 2009
My sympathies to her family. May Ms. French rest in peace and may she be welcomed into eternity. Her life was full and she used her talents well. She is a good example for both women and men.
Lynda G
May 6, 2009
The insight I gained from reading Marilyn French's writings changed my thinking and actions. Thank You!
Sincere sympathies to the family
carole sutton
May 6, 2009
Loved all her books . She was a great writer of our times.
Laurie Kruse
May 6, 2009
Thank you Marilyn.
Lisa Ward
May 6, 2009
I was 22 when I read Ms. French's first novel. It was so indeliblely etched in my soul that went on to live the life of a feminist, unapoligetically. She was ,at the time, the most influential writer for women of all ages.
Rest in peace, Marilyn, your life has had great meaning.
May 6, 2009
I read The Women's Room when I was 21; the year it came out and have always thought it should be required reading in high school. I told everybody I knew about it. Thank you Marilyn for crystalizing the experience of women. My sympathies to the family.
Martha C., Ottawa, Canada
Lori M
May 6, 2009
Reading The Women's Room was a life-changing experience for me. My sympathies to Ms. French's family & friends.
mona maybelle
May 6, 2009
Thank you for my life, Bless you for yours.
Leslie Klinger
May 6, 2009
That book helped change the way I view myself in the world. Thank you, God, for the gift of Marilyn French.
susan smith
May 6, 2009
she will be remembered in my prayers
Julie Patten
May 6, 2009
Marlyn French's writing changed my life at such an impressionable age and in such a profound way. I am forever grateful for that. She was a perfect voice for so many of us who knew... but did not know how to say it. She was a light in this world that we all will keep burning brightly from within ourselves. I hope this generation of young women will have such an insightful and eloquent voice speaking for them.
D. ZIMMERMAN
May 5, 2009
REST IN PEACE MARILYN FRENCH
Sala S.
May 5, 2009
Very sad. Just a very sad day...what a loss. My heart goes out to your family. RIP.
Shirley Hughes
May 5, 2009
My prayers are with the family. May God bless you and your family. Please RIP.
Robin
May 5, 2009
What a sad day this is, and how grateful we can be that she shared so much with us for so long.
What a profound change in the world she helped to shape and create with her written word.
She will always have my thanks.
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