Alexandre Dumas papers

Collection

Identifier: A.D88

Staff Only

Biographical/Historical note

A series of twenty-seven letters and notes to Dr. Henri Favre, to whom Dumas was introduced by George Sand in 1866, or thereabouts. Favre was a distinguished scientist and mystic, well acquainted with the most eminent authors of the period. His interests led him to investigate many scientific and pseudo-scientific topics of the day, and he was one of the pioneers in studying the use of psychoanalysis. Passages in this correspondence indicate that he and Dumas held lengthy discussions on these topics.

Scope and Contents

The letters, most of which are undated, were written between September 10, 1869 and December 15, 1894. These limits are not exact; it is unlikely that any letter in this group was written before the first date, but some of the notes may come from the months after December 1894. The works chiefly concerned are Dumas' La femme de Claude and La route de Thebes, the first of which was dedicated to Favre. The letters show how important Dr. Favre's friendship and counsel were to Dumas, and in the correspondence one can trace the evolution of the dramatist's technique of the theater.

An article based upon this correspondence was being prepared by Warren E. Richmond (Rochester 1957) in 1940, but does not seem to have been published. Transcriptions of the correspondence made by Robert F. Metzdorf, and Mr. Richmond's translations are included in the collection.

Description of the collection is from Robert F. Metzdorf's Catalogue of the Autograph Collection of the University of Rochester. Rochester, NY, 1940. no. 307.

Creator

Dumas, Alexandre, 1824-1895 (Person)
Favre, Henri (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1869-1894

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The Alexandre Dumas Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Alexandre Dumas Papers, A.D88, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester