Alexandre Dumas père, The Master of Adventure

Alexandre Dumas was born to General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, a mixed-race hero of the Revolutionary Wars, and Marie-Louise Labouret. His fathers military exploits and larger-than-life personality would inspire his adventure novels.

General Dumas died after years of poor health following imprisonment in Italy. His death left the family in poverty, and Napoleon refused to grant them a pension, leaving young Alexandre with a lifelong resentment of the emperor.

Dumas received only basic education due to his familys poverty. However, he developed a passion for reading and discovered his talent for storytelling, devouring every book he could find in the local library.

Dumas worked as a clerk for a local notary, but his ambitions lay elsewhere. He began writing plays and dreaming of literary success in Paris, the cultural capital of Europe.

Dumas moved to Paris with almost no money, securing a position as a clerk for the Duke of Orleans through his fathers old military connections. He immersed himself in the theatrical world and began writing plays.

Dumas had a son, Alexandre, with seamstress Catherine Labay. The younger Alexandre Dumas would become a famous playwright himself, author of La Dame aux Camelias (Camille).

Dumas historical drama Henri III and His Court premiered at the Comedie-Francaise to enormous success, launching the Romantic movement in French theater. He became famous overnight and was celebrated alongside Victor Hugo.

Dumas actively participated in the July Revolution that overthrew Charles X. His patron, the Duke of Orleans, became King Louis-Philippe, and Dumas briefly enjoyed political influence.

Dumas began writing serialized novels for newspapers, a format that would make him wealthy and famous. He developed a factory-like system with collaborators, most notably Auguste Maquet, to produce content at an astonishing rate.

Dumas published The Three Musketeers as a serial in Le Siecle newspaper, creating one of literatures most beloved adventure stories. DArtagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis became immortal characters read worldwide.

Dumas published The Count of Monte Cristo, an epic tale of wrongful imprisonment and elaborate revenge. Running to over 1,000 pages, it became one of the most popular novels ever written and remains a classic.

Dumas published Twenty Years After, the sequel to The Three Musketeers. He continued the saga with The Vicomte of Bragelonne, creating a trilogy that spans decades of French history.

At the height of his fame and wealth, Dumas built an extravagant chateau named after his novel. The estate featured a Gothic writing studio called the Chateau dIf. His lavish lifestyle and legendary generosity would eventually lead to financial ruin.

Dumas founded his own theater to stage his plays, but the venture proved financially disastrous. Combined with his extravagant spending, he was forced to sell his beloved chateau and flee creditors.

Dumas embarked on an extended journey through Russia, writing travel accounts that were published serially. His celebrity status made him welcome in aristocratic circles throughout Europe.

Dumas joined Giuseppe Garibaldis campaign to unify Italy, purchasing weapons and supplies for the cause. He stayed in Naples for several years, founding a newspaper and continuing to write prolifically.

Dumas returned to France in declining health and reduced circumstances. Despite having earned enormous sums, his generosity and extravagance left him dependent on his children.

Dumas died at his sons home near Dieppe, having written over 100,000 pages in his lifetime. In 2002, his remains were moved to the Pantheon, honoring Frances most prolific and beloved storyteller alongside Voltaire and Hugo.