History of Alexandre Dumas in Timeline

Alexandre Dumas, often called Alexandre Dumas père, was a renowned French novelist and playwright. He is best known for his historical adventure novels, including "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristo," which have become literary classics adapted numerous times for stage and screen.

1953: Frank Wild Reed's Dumas Collection Donated

Following the death of Frank Wild Reed, a New Zealand pharmacist who had amassed a significant collection of Alexandre Dumas's works, the collection was donated to Auckland Libraries. The collection, containing thousands of volumes and manuscripts, remains one of the largest outside of France.

1970: Centenary Celebration of Alexandre Dumas

In 1970, on the 100th anniversary of Alexandre Dumas's death, he was honored in multiple ways. A Paris Métro station was named after him, and his former country home, the Château de Monte-Cristo, was restored and opened to the public as a museum.

1971: Founding of the Société des Amis d'Alexandre Dumas

French historian Alain Decaux founded the "Société des Amis d'Alexandre Dumas" (The Society of Friends of Alexandre Dumas) in 1971. The organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting the works and legacy of the author.

1990: Discovery of "The Knight of Sainte-Hermine"

In 1990, Claude Schopp, a Dumas scholar, discovered a letter in an archive that led him to the unfinished manuscript of Dumas's novel, "The Knight of Sainte-Hermine."

2002: Discovery of "The Gold Thieves"

In 2002, scholar Réginald Hamel discovered a five-act play by Alexandre Dumas titled "The Gold Thieves" in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.

2002: Re-interment of Alexandre Dumas at the Panthéon

Marking the bicentenary of Alexandre Dumas's birth, French President Jacques Chirac orchestrated the re-interment of his ashes at the Panthéon in Paris. This decision, though met with initial resistance from villagers in Dumas's hometown, led to a televised ceremony where his remains were transported with great fanfare, honoring him as a prominent figure in French history.

2004: Publication of "The Gold Thieves"

In 2004, "The Gold Thieves", the play by Alexandre Dumas discovered two years prior, was published in France by Honoré-Champion.

June 2005: Publication of "The Knight of Sainte-Hermine"

Alexandre Dumas's last novel, "The Knight of Sainte-Hermine," was published posthumously in June 2005. The nearly finished manuscript, dealing with the Battle of Trafalgar, was discovered and completed by Dumas scholar Claude Schopp.

2006: English Publication of "The Last Cavalier"

Following its French release, Alexandre Dumas's completed novel, "The Knight of Sainte-Hermine," was published in English as "The Last Cavalier" in 2006, expanding its reach to a wider audience.

2008: Publication of "Le Salut de l'Empire"

Claude Schopp, continuing his research on Dumas's "Sainte-Hermine" saga, published "Le Salut de l'Empire" in 2008, further contributing to the legacy of the famed author.