Dumas

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

ALEXANDRE, the Elder, a celebrated French romancist and dramatist; born in Villers-Cotterets, Aisne, July 24, 1802. He was grandson of a French marquis and a San Domingo negress. In 1823 he went to Paris and obtained an assistant-secretaryship from the Duke of Orleans, afterward Louis Philippe. In 1829 he scored his first success with his drama "Henry The same year appeared his III:" "Christine," and in quick succession ALEXANDRE DUMAS, THE ELDER "Antony," "Richard d'Arlington," "Térésa," "Le Tour de Nesle," "Catharine Howard," etc. Dumas had now become a noted Parisian character. The critics fought over the merits of his pieces, and the scandalmongers over his prodigality and galanteries. Turning his attention to romance, he produced a series of historical romances. A few of the great multitude of his famous romances are: "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1844); "The Three Musketeers" (1844); "Twenty Years After" (1845); "The Knight of Maison-Rouge" (1846); "Viscount de Bragelonne" (1847); "Queen Margot" (1847). Many of his stories were of great length, 6 to 12 volumes. Besides pure fiction he wrote a number of historical romances, as "Joan of Arc" (1842); "Michelangelo and Raffaelle" 1846); "Louis XIV. and His Age" (1847). His plays, which had extraordinary success, include: "Henri III. and His Court" (1829); "Antony” (1831); "Charles VII. with His Grand Vassals" (1831), "Mlle. de Belle- Isle" (1839); "Marriage Under Louis XV." (1841); "The Misses St. Cyr" (1843). Nearly all his novels were put on the stage also. He wrote entertaining narratives of his travels in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain, north Africa, Egypt, Syria, etc. The works which bear his name amount to some 1,200 volumes, including about 60 dramas. He died near Dieppe, Dec. 5, 1870.