Alexandre Dumas was a French playwright, historian and prolific novelist, penning a string of successful books including The Three Musketeers (1844), The Count of Monte Cristo (1845), and Twenty Years After(1845). His novels have been translated into a hundred different languages and inspired over two hundred films. In his day Dumas was as famous for his financial irresponsibility and flamboyant lifestyle as for his writing. Dumas died in 1870.

"Rollicking" Independent "Delicious" Guardian "Dumas is a master of ripping yarns full of fearless heroes, poisonous ladies and swashbuckling adventurers" Guardian "The Napoleon of storytellers" Washington Post