DUMAS, ALEXANDRE (father). – Novelist and playwright, b. in Villers-Cotterets on 24 July 1803, d. at Puys (Dieppe) on 5 Dec. 1870. He left no fewer than 257 volumes of novels and 25 of dramas, largely produced by his secretaries. His novels, entirely lacking in historical fidelity and written for a popular audience, rich in adventures and in characters who have remained famous, such as Les trois mousquetaires, devoid of profound thought and morality, and indeed often reflecting the author’s cynicism, were all entered in the Index of Forbidden Books (Decree of 22 June 1863).
BIBL.: Very numerous studies, including: Ch. Glinel, A. D. et son oeuvre, Paris 1884; A. F. Davidson, A. D. père, there 1902; H. Lecomte, A. D. sa vie, son oeuvre, there 1923; L. Treich, L'Esprit d'A. D., there 1926; J. Lucas-Dubreton, La vie d'A. D. père, there 1928. Giovanna Fusco