Alexandre Dumas, fils

Dumas grew up acquainted with many of his father’s literary friends; Andersen and Lamartine are two who wrote about it, Lamartine in fact becoming a friend in his own right, appreciative of Dumas’ visits. Sand, similarly, became a close friend; he called her “chère maman” and helped her dramatise on of her novels, while they sustained an extensive correspondence. Verne was another close friend, and Maupassant the recipient of fatherly affection. Bernhardt played Dumas’ best-known role; in return he gave her a letter he’d originally written to break off with the courtesan who had initially inspired the part.