Scot grew up in a family with a strong tradition of public service and a love of local history. Hailing from a small town in Massachusetts, his grandmother ran the first telephone exchange and kept community scrapbooks. His grandfather served as Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. His father, Norman French, co-founded the Historical Society & Museum and served on the Historical Commission. 

Eager to tell the stories of his own place and time, Scot earned his B.A. in Journalism at Syracuse University and, later, his M.A./Ph.D. in History at the University of Virginia. As director of the Virginia Center for Digital History he specialized in the application of new technologies to the study of the past. In 2011 he moved with his family to Central Florida to join UCF’s History Department. Today, he directs UCF’s Public History program, supervising student internships and partnering with communities throughout the area on local “History Harvests.”

Scot fell in love with the history and natural beauty of Maitland, full of lakes, parks and local landmarks. An avid cyclist, he has explored the city’s bike paths and is dedicated to making Maitland safe and accessible for walkers, cyclists, and motorists alike. Scot and his family live in a lovingly restored 1959 A-Frame in the Manor Road neighborhood, a short walk from Lake Lily. 

Since joining the Maitland community in 2012, Scot has followed in his family’s public service tradition. He has served on the Maitland Public Library Board of Trustees for 10 years, and has played a key role in planning the new library and advocating for resources that benefit all.

Scot has curated exhibits on local history at Maitland Art & History and helped to develop a “Beloved Community/Better Together” walking tour to share the remarkable history of our community. For his work as a public historian, Scot has been honored as one of Winter Park Magazine’s “Most Influential People.”

Eager to help shape the “future history” of Maitland, Scot is now running for City Council.