Photograph of Alexandre Dumas

Alexandre Dumas

(1802—1870)

France

Biography

Alexandre Dumas (Père) was a French writer, best known for his numerous historical novels of high adventure which have made him one of the most widely read French authors in the world. Many of his novels, including The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, and The Man in the Iron Mask were serialized, and he also wrote plays and magazine articles and was a prolific correspondent.

In 1829 his first solo play, Henry III and his Court, was produced, meeting with great public acclaim and after writing many successful plays, he turned his efforts to novels.

Dumas made extensive use of the aid of numerous ghost-writers of which Auguste Maquet was the best known. It was Maquet who outlined the plot of The Count of Monte Cristo and made substantial contributions to The Three Musketeers and its sequels, as well as several other novels. When working together, Maquet proposed plots and wrote drafts, while Dumas added the details, dialogues, and the final chapters.

Despite his success and aristocratic connections, being of mixed-blood would affect him all his life. In 1843, he wrote a short novel, Georges, which addressed some of the issues of race and the effects of colonialism. Nevertheless, racist attitudes impacted his rightful position in France's history long after his death in 1870.

(source: Wikipedia)

ePub Books Available by Alexandre Dumas

8 Titles Online

Celebrated Crimes Book Cover Image

Celebrated Crimes [en] (1841)

Written between 1839 and 1841, Celebrated Crimes is an 8-volume collection of 18 essays based upon historical facts of famous criminals and the crimes they committed. The Borgias, The Cenci, Massacres Of The South, Mary Stuart, Karl-Ludwig Sand, Urbain Grandier, Nisida, Derues, La Constantin,...

Genres: Crime/Detective, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Thriller / Suspense

The Count of Monte Cristo Book Cover Image

The Count of Monte Cristo [en] (1845)Film!

Edmond Dantes, a nineteen-year-old sailor from Marseilles, is soon to be captain of his own ship and to marry his beloved, the beautiful Mercedes. But spiteful enemies provoke his arrest on his wedding day, and he is condemned to life in prison. His sole companion is the 'crazy' priest Faria,...

Genres: Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction

Louise de la Valliere Book Cover Image

Louise de la Valliere [en] (1849)Film!

Louise de la Valliere is the middle section of The Vicomte de Bragelonne or, Ten Years After. Against a tender love story, Dumas continues the suspense which began with The Vicomte de Bragelonne and will end with The Man in the Iron Mask. It is early summer, 1661, and the royal court of...

Genres: Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance

The Man in the Iron Mask Book Cover Image

The Man in the Iron Mask [en] (1850)Film!

Deep inside the dreaded Bastille, a twenty-three-year-old prisoner called merely "Philippe" has languished for eight long, dark years. He does not know his real name or what crime he is supposed to have committed. But Aramis, one of the original Three Musketeers, has bribed his way into the...

Genres: Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance

Ten Years Later Book Cover Image

Ten Years Later [en] (1850)

D'Artagnan, a young swordsman intent on joining the king's musketeers, becomes embroiled in court intrigues, international politics, and ill-fated affairs between royal lovers. The book at hand is the second volume of the third serial. Louis XIV is well past the age where he should rule, but...

Genres: Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance

The Three Musketeers Book Cover Image

The Three Musketeers [en] (1844)Film!

"All for one and one for all!"The young and headstrong D'Artagnan, having proven his bravery by dueling with each, becomes a friend of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, members of the King's Musketeers. He is in love with Constance Bonancieux and, at her urging, he and his friends head for England...

Genres: Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance

Twenty Years After Book Cover Image

Twenty Years After [en] (1845)Film!

Two decades have passed since the famous swordsmen triumphed over Cardinal Richelieu and Milady in The Three Musketeers. Time has weakened their resolve, and dispersed their loyalties. But treasons and strategems still cry out for justice: civil war endangers the throne of France, while in...

Genres: Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance

The Vicomte de Bragelonne Book Cover Image

The Vicomte de Bragelonne [en] (1847)Film!

It is now 1660, and although promised the captaincy of the musketeers at the close of Twenty Years After, D'Artagnan is still trailing his sword in the Louvre as a lowly lieutenant. Louis XIV is well past the age where he should rule, but the ailing Cardinal Mazarin refuses to...

Genres: Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance