Man in the Iron Mask (an Essay)

Imprisoned for three decades. His face never seen. Who was "The Man in the Iron Mask?"

In the novel "The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later", Dumas revealed the man to be Louis XIV's identical twin. But that’s far from the definitive answer. Here, Dumas dives into the real events that inspired his story, and dissects the other theories of the time. Was the prisoner in fact The Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son to England’s King Charles II? Or the disgraced French minister Nicolas Fouquet?

A recommended read for fans of Dumas’ novel, but also anyone who loves a great unsolved mystery.



Alexandre Dumas (1802 - 1870) was a hugely popular 19th Century French writer. Born of mixed French and Haitian heritage, Dumas first rose to prominence in Paris as a playwright, but later gained international fame with his historical fiction.

Often co-authored with other writers, these stories wove together swashbuckling adventure, romance, and real events from France’s past. Among the best known are "The Three Musketeers", and its sequels "Twenty Years After", and "Le Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later". Set across four decades, this trilogy follows the rise of the dashing D’Artagnan—from hot-headed soldier to trusted captain under Louis XIV.

Dumas’ other novels include "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Black Tulip". His works have been adapted into more than 200 movies, including The Man in the Iron Mask starring Leonardo DiCaprio.