Marie Duplessis aka Alphonsine Plessis (real name) (January 15, 1824 - February 3, 1847) was a French courtesan and mistress to a number of prominent and wealthy men. She is the basis of Marguerite Gautier, the main character of The Lady of the Camellias, (La Dame aux camélias) by Alexandre Dumas the younger, one of Duplessis' lovers.