Alexandre Dumas Père Brief Biography
Writer Famous for The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo
Aug 13, 2009
Alexandre Dumas the elder was a popular 19th-century French writer. He is remembered as the author of two famous adventure novels: The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, both popular classics.
The Life of Alexandre Dumas the Elder in a Nutshell
Alexandre Dumas the elder (père) was born on July 24, 1802 in a rural town, the son of a general and an innkeeper's daughter. He is referred to as the "elder" (or père) in reference to his illegitimate son with the same name, who also became a popular novelist and playwright.
Dumas' father was later killed fighting in the army of Napoleon Bonaparte. His death left the family in poverty, and Dumas moved to Paris to find work. It was while working as a clerk in the capital city that he began writing.
Although many of his books brought him great wealth, Dumas the elder was also fast at spending money. He often found himself in debt. He and his mistress had a son also called Alexandre. Dumas (fils) the younger, is remembered for Camille, a tragic love story set in Paris.
Dumas the elder was a consistent writer, producing a steady flow of plays, novels, and short stories. He took long holidays in the countryside when work overwhelmed. He died in Paris on December 5, 1870, aged 68.
Dumas Père the Playwright
At the age of 27, Dumas had his first success with Henry III, a historical drama. He followed this with more popular plays and soon established a reputation as one of the leading writers of France. His play Antony shocked his audience with his portrayal of a man who kills his mistress to avoid scandal.
Dumas Père the Novelist
His enduring fame rests on his novels in which he continued his historical romance in the fashion of Victor Hugo. He wanted to write a series of books covering the whole history of France. Two parts of the series were historical adventure novels The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, that became his best-known works.
Last Words on Alexandre Dumas the Elder
Alexandre Dumas the elder started his success as a writer with his numerous romantic historical plays, such as La Tour de Nesle (The Tower of Nesle.) However, he is remembered for his historical swashbuckling novels The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.
Works by Alexandre Dumas the Elder
- Henry III and his Court, 1829
- Christine, 1830
- Napoleon Bonaparte, 1831
- Antony, 1831
- The Tower of Nesle, 1832
- The Three Musketeers, 1844
- The Count of Monte Cristo, 1844
- Twenty Years After, 1845
- The Black Tulip, 1850
Sources:
- Goring, Rosemary, Ed. Larousse Dictionary of Writers. New York: Larousse, 1994.
- McGovern, Una, Ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers, 2002.
- Payne, Tom. The A-Z of Great Writers. London: Carlton, 1997.
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