French Drain - Where did it originate?

The French Drain is one of the most frequently searched terms when it comes to drainage. However most of the information I see posted on the internet by contractors and homeowners is not accurate. Here is what some people are saying:

1) The french drain was developed in France because the homes there did not have roof drainage (gutters) so an open trench of perforated pipe and crushed stone would direct the roof water away from the foundation.

2) The french drain is an outside trench directing water away from the foundation.

The truth of the matter is that it was named after Henry F French, a judge from Cambridge, Massachusetts who wrote a book in 1859 called Farm Drainage. In that book he wrote a chapter called Cellar Drainage. In fact, in the book it shows how he recommended installing interior clay tile drains (2" clay tile laid side by side in a trench around the perimeter of the cellar surrounded by tan bark. (see tan bark post)