Alexandre Dumas (1802–1870) has functioned as a powerful and evolving symbol in the construction of French national and global identity. Best known as the author of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas occupied a paradoxical position in 19th-century France: He was one of the most widely read writers of his time, yet frequently marginalized by literary elites. His mixed-race heritage and experiences with racism further complicated his status, as critics often dismissed both his work and his reputation through racialized assumptions.

Historian Eric Martone traces how Dumas’ reception evolved from his century through the present, examining how his image was reshaped in response to shifting political, cultural, and global contexts, from the rise of nationalism and scientific racism to the crises of the World Wars and the transformations of the postcolonial era.

Over time, Dumas has been alternately diminished, reclaimed, and celebrated, reflecting broader debates about what it means to be French. His legacy highlights the tensions between exclusion and inclusion that continue to shape contemporary discussions of French culture and belonging.

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