John Robert French (May 28, 1819 – October 2, 1890) was an American publisher, editor and Republican politician.

He learned the printer’s trade, and for five years worked as publisher and associate editor of the New Hampshire Statesman in Concord.

In 1854, French moved to Lake County, Ohio where he worked as editor of the Telegraph,[4] the Press, and, in 1856, the Cleveland Morning Leader.

Upon the readmission of the State of North Carolina to representation following the Civil War, French was elected as a Republican to the Fortieth Congress, serving from July 6, 1868 to March 3, 1869.

[9] French was appointed secretary and disbursing office of the Ute Commission in July 1880, whereupon he returned to Washington, D.C.[10][11] In his later years, French moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and then to Boise City, Idaho, where he was editor of the Boise City Sun until his death.