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Focus on: Dumas, Alexandre Père
Alexandre Dumas was born in the village of Villers-Cotterêts in July 1802.
Being an orphan he receives only the most rudimentary of education. At the
age of 20, he moves to Paris seeking work as a writer, where he finds
employment in the offices of the Duke of Orléans. His very first works are
not published. He then makes the acquaintance of the literary critic Talma,
who quickly sees in him a future genius. It is during this period that
Dumas publishes his first collection of poems, discovers Shakespeare and
becomes a member of the "new school" under the direction of Charles Nodier.
In 1828, he completes his first play, "Christine". It will not be presented
to the public. In 1829, his career finally takes off with "Henri III et sa
cour". Once his financial problems behind him, Dumas starts writing profusely.
In 1831, at the theater of the Porte Saint-Martin, the play "Antony"
premiers. This modern drama is a huge success.
In 1838, in colaboration with Maquet, Dauzats, and Nerval, Dumas starts
writing historical novels. From 1840 onward, his most popular novels, those
responsible for his worldwide reputation are published. They include: "The
three Musketters", "Twenty Years after", "The Viscount of Bragelonne",
"Queen Margot" and "The Count of Monte-Cristo".
In between novels, Dumas travels extensively and even enters politics in 1848.
His life full of adventures and emotions enriches his monumental collection
of works.
Alexandre Dumas, dies in the home of his son, in the village of Puys, in
December 1870.
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Dumas, Alexandre Père
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