Sophie Hunt French (1915-2009) came to Black Mountain College with her husband John R.P. French, a former student who had returned to teach psychology. After her son lost his hearing, she obtained her master’s degree from Columbia University in special education. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, she was hired by Eastern Michigan University to work with deaf children and their families and trained students to work with deaf children.

Relationships

Husband: BMC Faculty, John R.P. French

Sister: BMC student, Martha Hunt

Black Mountain College Project

Mary Emma Harris interviewed Sophie in 2005 and the transcript is available from Appalachian State University under The Mary Emma Harris and Black Mountain College Project, Inc. Oral History collection.

Topics: Hearing about BMC – marriage to John French – French family and progressive education – Alamoosook Island Camp – work program – general ambiance of college – sister Martha Hunt – Josef Albers– weaving by Anni Albers – Jack French – John Evarts – French children and polio – bombing of Pearl Harbor – death of Mark Dreier – importance of refugee faculty