Alexandre Dumas was a member of the ‘Club des Hashischins’, which met monthly to take hashish at a hotel in Paris. His book, The Count of Monte Cristo contains several references to hashish. [1]
Prolific French writer, Alexandre Dumas passed away on 5 December 1870, in Puys, near Dieppe, France. His death marked the end of an era for French literature. Renowned for his historical novels, Dumas led a tumultuous life marked by financial struggles and personal challenges.
Born on 24 July 1802, Dumas produced his first play, in 1829 when he was 27 years old which met with acclaim. He rose to literary fame with works like The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.
In 1840, Dumas married actress Ida Ferrier, but the couple did not have any children together. Dumas had numerous liaisons with other women, (reported to be up to 40) and is known to have fathered at least four children by them.
Dumas enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle and mismanagement of his finances led to severe debt, forcing him into exile for a time. Despite this, he remained a beloved figure in French society, admired for his wit, charm, and storytelling prowess.
In his later years, Dumas continued to produce literary works, but the quality of his output diminished as he relied on collaborators to meet the demands of his creditors. He faced criticism for this approach, which tarnished his literary reputation. Additionally, he grappled with health issues, including a stroke that left him partially paralysed, although he remained active in the cultural and political spheres, engaging in debates and advocating for social causes.
Dumas died at the age of 68 of natural causes, possibly a heart attack. He was buried at his birthplace of Villers-Cotterêts in the department of Aisne. His death was overshadowed by the Franco-Prussian War and changing literary fashions which decreased his popularity.
In 1970, on the centenary of his death, the Paris Métro named a station in his honour. In 2002, for the bicentenary of his birth, French President Jacques Chirac held a ceremony honouring the author by having his ashes re-interred at the mausoleum of the Panthéon, where many French luminaries were buried.
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Susannah Fullerton: The Count of Monte Cristo
Susannah Fullerton: Alexandre Dumas is born
Susannah Fullerton: Château d’If opened to the public
Susannah Fullerton: The Nutcracker
Susannah Fullerton: Literary France – Susannah’s Top Ten Places to Visit
Susannah Fullerton: Meet A Book Addict – Frank Wild Reed