On this day in 1802 the great French novelist Alexandre Dumas was born.

His thrilling historical novels, such as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Christo made him famous and rich at the time, although in later life he was forced to flee France to escape his creditors because of his lavish spending habits.

Dumas was dark skinned and of mixed race, his grandmother having been a Haitian slave. In spite of this background, Dumas’ father had served in the army of Napoleon Bonaparte and risen to the rank of General, an astonishing feat. Dumas worshipped his father who during his life had had to endure many insults because of his race. This is perhaps why D’...

Please subscribe to keep reading.