You're Dead to Me Alexandre Dumas: author of The Three Musketeers
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Aug 15, 2025 Join historian Olivette Otele, a distinguished expert on slavery and colonial history, alongside comedian Celya AB, known for her sharp wit. They dive into the captivating life of Alexandre Dumas, the mastermind behind 'The Three Musketeers.' Discover how his mixed heritage influenced his writing and shaped his identity in 19th-century France. From his romantic escapades and dramatic political entanglements to his prolific literary output and struggles with financial instability, Dumas's life is a blend of humor, adventure, and historical intrigue.
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Origins Shaped By A Legendary Father
- Alexandre Dumas was born in 1802 to Marie-Louise Labouret and General Thomas-Alexandre, a mixed-heritage Napoleonic general.
- His father's fame and early death plunged the family into poverty but shaped Dumas's reverence for military heroism.
Seminary Escape With Sausage
- A cousin left Dumas money to join a seminary but he lied and spent the funds on bread and sausage to escape to the woods.
- His mother forgave him and the seminary plan was dropped, freeing him for literary life.
Paris And Theatrical Education
- Dumas fell in love with Paris and theatre as a teenager and moved there at age 20 to pursue literature.
- He studied classics and was advised to read canonical authors, which influenced his later historical dramas.
