From the age of fifteen, in the mid 19th century, Gustave Doré gained fame as an illustrator in Strasbourg, France. In his young adulthood, Doré supported his fatherless household by producing various illustrations in travel guides and news journals. After gaining fame and financial security, Gustave Doré was free to follow his diverse passions. His greatest works touched on the theological ("The English Bible"), the historical ("History of the Crusades"), fables and mythology ("The Fables of Jean de La Fontaine," "Idylls of the King"), early works of humorous fiction ("Don Quixote de la Mancha," "Gargantua and Pantagruel") and epic poetry ("Divine Comedy," "Paradise Lost"). My research explores the many ways Gustave Doré adapted to each genre-both in his use of established archetypal imagery and his ability to be visually dynamic in artistic style. Gustave Doré is one of history's most highly regarded luminaries of illustration and engraving. Generations of families continue to lovingly pass down a "Doré Bible." His engravings for "The Divine Comedy" and "Don Quixote" have been re-released by many different publishers throughout many different editions and translations. What traditions was Doré building upon that enabled his works to resonate across, and often independent of, each genre? is a question that will be explored.