Note: George W. M. Reynolds And Alexander Dumas

Note: George W.M. Reynolds And Alexander Dumas by R.E. Prindle It’s always interesting to find a source for George Reynolds’ ideas. He was a wide reader and his reading finds a way into his writings. In his novel ‘Lady Saxondale’s Crimes’, or Harriet to use her first name, has his physician, Dr. Ferney, create a birth mark on Harriet’s adopted son to emulate that on her lost son. This is an elaborate deception that runs through the novel I recently acquired a copy of Alexander Dumas’ eight volume ‘Celebrated Crimes’. In his account of the crime of ‘Martin Guerre’ we find the inspiration for George Reynolds’ tale. Dumas’ Martin Guerre is based on a true story, as all the celebrated crimes are. In Martin Guerre two unrelated men are identical look alikes. Except that the real Martin Guerre has a small birthmark on his lower neck in the exact location Reynolds places his on Harriets adopted son. As a birth mark is needed for Reynolds’ story he has Harriet employ Dr. Ferney to create the mark on her adopted son. Unlike in Dumas’ story the birth mark is missing at the critical moment, in Reynold’s the birthmark is on her real son. In Dumas’ story the two men are soldiers in which the real Martin Guerre is critically wounded. His look alike then steals his identity expecting him to die. Some eight years later he shows up at Guerre’s dwelling to begin a life as Guerre’s wife’s husband. All goes well until the real Martin Guerre reappears. This is a tragic story. In Reynolds’ story Harriet’s imposture is discovered when the real son is discovered and her counterfeit is revealed. Reynolds’ story is obviously a variation of Duma’s. Duma’s ‘Celebrated Crimes’ was issued over 1839 and 1840. Reynolds probably read the books at that time treasuring the detail to be used later. That time came about in 1852 when he was writing ‘Lady Saxondales Crimes’. The title itself is a reflection on ‘Celebrated Crimes.’ He was obviously impressed by Dumas, but more at a later time. Discovering Reynolds’ sources is amusing.