One of the most widely read writers in the world is the Frenchman Alexander Dumas, the father, whose adventure novels have millions of fans around the world for the past two centuries.
Childhood and youth
The future creator of literary masterpieces was born in 1802 in the family of military official Tom Alexander Dumas and the daughter of the owner of the hotel, whose name was Maria Louise Labour.
The boy’s childhood and youth passed in his hometown - Ville-Cotre. Alexander's strong friendship with Adolf De Leuven led the young Dumas to show serious interest in drama in general and theater in particular. Alexander Dumas did not see himself as an actor performing on the stage, but he dreamed of a career as a playwright.
On the way to creativity
Lacking enough finance and any serious support, Dumas moved to Paris. His excellent handwriting allows him to get a good position even without a proper education.
Aware of the shortcomings and gaps in his education, Alexander Dumas begins to read hard. One of his new acquaintances helps him fill in the gaps, making for the young man a list of books that he must certainly read.
First play
After some time, Dumas, impressed by the sculpture narrating the murder of Monaldeschi, decides to write a dramatic play about the Swedish queen. He will call this play Christina. Due to serious disagreements that arose between the author of the play and influential people of that time, the play will never be put on the stage of Comedy Frances.
Participation in the revolution. Political persecution
In 1830, Alexander Dumas became an active participant in the revolution, which was destined to win. Subsequently, Dumas repeatedly flattering spoke about young people who became the basis of the revolutionary struggle.
A year later, the young writer was persecuted for political reasons. Rumors circulated that he had been arrested and shot, without even waiting for a court verdict. The rumors were false, but the writer was really threatened with serious problems with the law. Against the backdrop of the current situation, Alexander decides to flee abroad to Switzerland.
Life abroad
Being abroad, Dumas is not idle. In 1840, the writer legalized relations with the theater actress Ida Ferrier, but after 4 years the couple broke up. His contemporaries have repeatedly noted the fact that, being in a legal marriage, the writer did not deny himself romance with other women. Dumas' earnings in this period are estimated as very high, and his lifestyle as luxurious and even rampant. Alexander Dumas made decisive attempts to develop creative activity: he organized his own drama theater and began to publish his own literary magazine. Unfortunately, not one of the undertakings was seriously developed.
Active in the literary field
In 1851, the situation was such that Dumas again had to flee: this time, problems with creditors became the reason for the immediate departure. The writer was forced to go to Belgium. In Brussels, Alexander began to write the famous Memoirs, which were very highly appreciated not only by their author, but also by independent critics.
During the active phase of his work, Alexander Dumas the father wrote a huge number of dramas and comedies, most of which forever took their place of honor in the history of world literature. He is the author of such masterpieces as The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, The Paris Mohicans and many other legendary works. In total, more than two hundred works, including the famous "Great Culinary Dictionary," came out of his pen.
Died Alexander Dumas, whose biography is described in the article, in 1870 in France. His son, also Alexander, became a writer. To distinguish their authorship, the prefix "father" is often added to the name of the elder Dumas.
Collaborators
Many works of Dumas the father were created in collaboration with other writers. One of those was Mack. The unsuccessful outcome of cooperation led to protracted litigation. The winner was Alexander Dumas, whose books have already received recognition. Conversing with his son after the death of a colleague, Mack claimed that there were no secret agreements between Dumas the father and Mack.