Born as Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie on 24 July 1802, in Villers-Cotterêts, Picardy, France, AlexAndre dumAs was one of the most prolific authors of his time.The last name Dumas was adopted from his grandmother, a former enslaved Haitian woman. His father,Thomas-Alexandre, assumed the name Dumas when he enlisted in Napoleons army. Here, he was given the dubious nickname Black Devil. Popular for his historical adventure novels like The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers (initially published as serials), Dumas immersed himself in literature after he moved to Paris in 1822. During the 1830 revolution, he worked as a scribe for the Ducd Orléans (later named King Louis Philippe), and began writing dramas and comedies. Dumas had a penchant for writing volumes of essays on some of the most infamous cases in history. It is believed that his published works totalled 100,000 pages and his works have been translated into more than 100 languages. A household name and a celebrity in France and across Europe, Dumas founded the Théâtre Historique in Paris in the 1840s. Dumas died on 5 December 1870, in Puys, France. He was buried at his birthplace of Villers- Cotterêts in the department of Aisne. In 1970, as a mark of honour, the Alexandre Dumas Paris Métro station was named after the author. His country home outside Paris, the Château de Monte-Cristo, has been restored as a museum.
The merit of all things lies in their difficulty. The Three Musketeers originally published in French as Les Trois Mousquetaires (1844) is one of the most famous works by Alexandre Dumas. Set in the 1620s, the story follows the adventures of the youthfully ambitious d’Artagnan as he seeks a place in the prestigious Musketeers of the Guard. However, d’Artagnan loses an important letter of introduction due to a series of misfortunes, and is unable to join the Guard immediately. However, he ends up befriending Athos, Porthos and Aramis, the three valiant musketeers who exemplify loyalty and devotion in friendship, and live by the motto, “all for one and one for all”. What follows is a brilliant tale of political intrigue, espionage, duels, murders, romance and friendship. The success of the novel led to two sequels—Twenty Years After (1845) and The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later (1850). The Three Musketeers has also been adapted into film, television, stage as well as other art forms.
