Victor Hugo (1802 – 1885) was a French writer, poet, and political thinker, regarded as one of the greatest figures of French literature. A leader of the Romantic movement, he is best known for his novels Les Miserables (1862) and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831), which continue to influence literature, theater, and film.
Born in Besançon, France, Hugo was raised in a politically divided family. His early literary success came with poetry collections and plays like Hernani (1830), which revolutionized French theater. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame brought public attention to the preservation of Gothic architecture and remains one of his most enduring works.
Hugo became politically active, initially supporting the monarchy but later embracing republicanism. After opposing Napoleon III’s rise to power, he lived in exile from 1851 to 1870, during which he wrote Les Miserables, a novel depicting injustice, redemption, and revolution. Upon his return to France, he became a senator and continued advocating for human rights.
A prolific writer, Hugo also produced thousands of poems and essays, tackling themes of justice, love, and the struggle of the oppressed. He campaigned against capital punishment and social inequality, earning him a revered status in France.
Hugo died in 1885 at the age of 83. Over two million people attended his state funeral, the largest in French history, and he was buried in the Pantheon. His legacy endures as a literary giant and a defender of social justice.