Auguste Maquet

Auguste Maquet (13 September 1813 – 8 January 1888) was a French novelist and playwright, best known for his collaboration with Alexandre Dumas, père, co-writing such works as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

Maquet was born in Paris in 1813. He studied at the Lycée Charlemagne where he became a professor at the age of 18. Trained as a historian, he turned to literature, and became close with such literary figures as Théophile Gautier and Gérard de Nerval. Through Nerval, he became acquainted with the already famous Dumas in 1838. Gérard de Nerval introduced Maquet to Dumas and asked the famous author to rewrite a play of Maquet's and publish it under his own name.

Maquet and Dumas began collaborating in 1842, and their partnership produced some of the most popular and successful novels of the 19th century. They worked together on a number of historical novels, including The Count of Monte Cristo (1844-1846), The Three Musketeers (1844), and The Man in the Iron Mask (1848). Maquet was responsible for the historical research and the basic plot outlines, while Dumas added his flair for dramatic storytelling and colorful characters.

The collaboration between Maquet and Dumas was not always smooth. In 1851, the two men had a falling out, and they stopped working together. Maquet went on to write a number of successful novels on his own, including Les Compagnons de Jehu (1857) and Le Chevalier de Maison-Rouge (1860).

Maquet died in Paris in 1888. He is considered one of the most important collaborators in the history of literature. His work with Dumas helped to shape the modern adventure novel, and his novels continue to be enjoyed by readers around the world.

Maquet's contributions to The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers are significant. He provided the historical research and the basic plot outlines for these novels, which Dumas then expanded and embellished with his own flair for dramatic storytelling and colorful characters. Maquet's work helped to make these novels the classics they are today.

In addition to his work with Dumas, Maquet also wrote a number of successful novels on his own. His novel Les Compagnons de Jehu was a historical adventure story set during the French Revolution. It was a critical and commercial success, and it was adapted into a number of films and television series.

Maquet was a talented writer and a valuable collaborator. His work helped to shape the modern adventure novel, and his novels continue to be enjoyed by readers around the world.