Thomas-Alexandre Dumas is the most inspiring man you’ve never heard of
Born a slave, he went on to become France’s greatest general alongside Napoleon… and that wasn’t even his best achievement!
He actually inspired France’s all time greatest novel, written by his own son…🧵
Born a slave, he went on to become France’s greatest general alongside Napoleon… and that wasn’t even his best achievement!
He actually inspired France’s all time greatest novel, written by his own son…🧵
Dumas was born in Haiti, 1762, of mixed descent
His Father had big ambitions for him to succeed in life, but there was a problem:
Due to his African mother, Dumas was a slave and denied rights
To free him, his father devised the unlikeliest of plans…
His Father had big ambitions for him to succeed in life, but there was a problem:
Due to his African mother, Dumas was a slave and denied rights
To free him, his father devised the unlikeliest of plans…
His father sold Dumas to a fellow Frenchman
How was this helpful?
The Frenchman would take Dumas to France:
Slavery was illegal there, so he would be free by default
His father, meanwhile, used the proceeds of the sale to accompany his son in France
How was this helpful?
The Frenchman would take Dumas to France:
Slavery was illegal there, so he would be free by default
His father, meanwhile, used the proceeds of the sale to accompany his son in France
In France, a now freed Dumas lived an aristocratic life
He was well educated, trained in swordsmanship, and grew a reputation for being a womanizer
The life of leisure didn’t suit him for long, however...
He was well educated, trained in swordsmanship, and grew a reputation for being a womanizer
The life of leisure didn’t suit him for long, however...
Dumas proved too ambitious to remain idle
When the French Revolutionary Wars broke out, he enlisted in the army, won over by its equality-driven ideals
For France, the wars meant 10 years of chaos and bloodshed
For Dumas, it marked the beginning of a wondrous military career
When the French Revolutionary Wars broke out, he enlisted in the army, won over by its equality-driven ideals
For France, the wars meant 10 years of chaos and bloodshed
For Dumas, it marked the beginning of a wondrous military career
Dumas had a knack for pulling off miracles in combat, such as:
- Capturing 12 enemies alone without firing a single shot
- Overrunning a garrison of 50 enemies with only 4 allies on his side
His ferocity fired him up the army ranks, allowing him to assume an officer's role
- Capturing 12 enemies alone without firing a single shot
- Overrunning a garrison of 50 enemies with only 4 allies on his side
His ferocity fired him up the army ranks, allowing him to assume an officer's role
By age 30, he assumed command of a French Legion
His miraculous feats only continued:
- His legion scaled an ice wall overnight to capture 2,000 sleeping enemies
- He led 50,000+ soldiers over the Alps to surprise the Austrians
Up next, he was to meet Napoleon himself...
His miraculous feats only continued:
- His legion scaled an ice wall overnight to capture 2,000 sleeping enemies
- He led 50,000+ soldiers over the Alps to surprise the Austrians
Up next, he was to meet Napoleon himself...
Dumas served alongside Napoleon in Egypt
Though they respected each other’s valor, the two did not get along
Power struggles ensued, and the French army floundered
In the end, Dumas would be sent back to France, but sadly, his ship would never make it home…
Though they respected each other’s valor, the two did not get along
Power struggles ensued, and the French army floundered
In the end, Dumas would be sent back to France, but sadly, his ship would never make it home…
Dumas was shipwrecked on his voyage, landing in Southern Italy where he was captured and imprisoned
Sadly, Napoleon had taken control of France at this time - the political chaos delayed Dumas’ release
After 2 years, a sickly Dumas returned to France, permanently ill
Sadly, Napoleon had taken control of France at this time - the political chaos delayed Dumas’ release
After 2 years, a sickly Dumas returned to France, permanently ill
Upon his return to France, he fathered a son, Alexandre Dumas (junior)
Dumas Sr died shortly after of stomach cancer, but with the birth of his son, his legacy had just begun…
Dumas Sr died shortly after of stomach cancer, but with the birth of his son, his legacy had just begun…
Dumas Jr was too young to know his father, but knew of his exploits
He sought to immortalize Dumas Sr, and went on to become France’s most prolific writer
In his lifetime he wrote 100,000 pages of material -largely adventure novels inspired by his father
His work caught fire
He sought to immortalize Dumas Sr, and went on to become France’s most prolific writer
In his lifetime he wrote 100,000 pages of material -largely adventure novels inspired by his father
His work caught fire
Not only were his works best sellers, they were masterpieces
His Magnum Opus - The Count of Monte Cristo - is France’s all time greatest novel and directly inspired by Dumas Sr.’s life
200 years later, it’s still inspiring readers to this day
Not a bad legacy...
His Magnum Opus - The Count of Monte Cristo - is France’s all time greatest novel and directly inspired by Dumas Sr.’s life
200 years later, it’s still inspiring readers to this day
Not a bad legacy...
Dumas’ life may have ended in tragedy, but his legacy is immortalized through his son
His story is a reminder that an unhappy life isn't a bad life:
In fact, a tragic life can be glorious if it inspires others to greatness
Such was the case for Thomas Alexandre Dumas
His story is a reminder that an unhappy life isn't a bad life:
In fact, a tragic life can be glorious if it inspires others to greatness
Such was the case for Thomas Alexandre Dumas
Bonus:
I offer faith and fitness coaching for Christian men looking to:
- Get fit
- Grow in their faith
- Learn the great books
If interested, DM me "fitness" to discuss!
I offer faith and fitness coaching for Christian men looking to:
- Get fit
- Grow in their faith
- Learn the great books
If interested, DM me "fitness" to discuss!
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
