Valerie French, history professor at American University, dies at 70

Valerie French, 70, a professor emerita of history at American University, died Dec. 8 at her home in the District.

She had a heart ailment, her husband, Robert Beisner, said.

Dr. French joined the faculty at American University in 1969. She taught history courses on ancient Greece and Rome and specialized in women, midwives, childhood and parenting in the ancient Mediterranean. From 2001 to 2003, she chaired the history department and was also associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She retired in 2005....