Victor Hugo (1802-1885) was a highly influential French Romantic author, poet, playwright, journalist, human rights activist, and politician. Born in Besançon, France, his early life was shaped by the contrasting political views of his parents: his father a general in Napoléon's army and his mother a supporter of the monarchy.
Hugo is best known for his novels Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. However, he also wrote prolifically in other genres, including poetry and plays. His works often champion causes such as universal suffrage and free education, reflecting his belief that writers should defend the less fortunate. Hugo was elected to the French Academy in 1841 and served in the National Assembly. He was later exiled for his opposition to Louis Napoléon, remaining in exile until 1870.
Hugo's legacy endures through his profound impact on literature and his commitment to humanitarian causes. His death in 1885 was marked by one of the grandest funerals in French history, and he remains one of the most popular and respected authors in French literature. Recently, the house where Hugo was born in Besançon is set to open to the public as a tribute, featuring works of art and serving as "a place of reflection".
