Alexandre Dumas is a celebrated French author best known for his historical adventure novels, including 'The Three Musketeers' and 'The Count of Monte Cristo.' Synopsis Alexandre Dumas was born on July 24, 1802, in Villers-Cotterêts, France. He adopted the last name Dumas from his grandmother, a former Haitian slave. Dumas established himself as one of the most popular and prolific authors in France, known for plays and historical adventure novels such as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.