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Alexandre DuvalFrench playwright, member of the French Academy
Date of Birth: 06.04.1767
Country:  France |
Content:
Alexandre Dumas Duval
Early Life and Military ServiceAt the tender age of 14, Alexandre Dumas Duval abandoned his studies to volunteer for military service in America, where he served for 18 months. Later, he pursued a career as an engineering intern in the fields of bridges and roads, as well as various construction professions. His multifaceted background included stints as a sailor, soldier, engineer, and actor.
Theatrical Career
The French Revolution transformed Duval's life, leading him to embrace theater as his sole passion. In 1790, he debuted as an actor at the Variétés-Amusantes theater. Subsequently, he performed at the Palais-Royal and joined the Comédie Française in November 1791. However, he soon left acting to dedicate himself to playwriting.
Duval penned over 60 plays, many written independently or in collaboration with fellow authors such as Louis-Benoît Picard. His works were primarily staged at the Comédie Française and the Opéra-Comique. While not overly concerned with literary style, Duval aimed to captivate audiences with diverse situations and inventive plot structures.
Director and French Academy Member
In 1807, Duval became the director of the Louvois Theater, later assuming the same role at the Odéon Theater. His election to the prestigious French Academy in 1812 marked a significant career milestone. From 1831 onward, he served as the administrator of the Bibliothêque de l'Arsenal.
Later Years and Family
By 1840, Duval's deteriorating eyesight compelled him to retire from active duty. His vacated seat in the French Academy was filled by Pierre-Simon Ballanche. Duval's brother, Amory Duval, was a writer and poet, while his other brother, Henri Duval, authored several notable works, including "Essai sur la critique" and "Histoire de France sous le règne de Charles VI." Duval's niece, Amory-Duval, was a renowned painter. His daughters, Jenny-Malvina and Adele, married an architect and a staff officer, respectively.
