Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo (1802–1885) was a renowned French author, poet and playwright, who is best remembered for his classic novels Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Born in Besançon, France, Hugo was a central figure in the Romantic literary movement and used his writing to address social and political issues of his time.

Hugo began his writing career as a poet, publishing his first collection of poetry, Odes et poésies

diverses, at the age of 20. His early success in poetry led to his appointment to the prestigious

Académie française in 1841. Over time, Hugo’s focus shifted to prose and drama, and he established

himself as a prominent playwright with works like Hernani (1830) and Ruy Blas (1838).

Victor Hugo’s literary legacy is vast and enduring, as his works continue to be celebrated for their

powerful narratives, memorable characters and important social and political themes. His novels

have been translated into numerous languages and adapted into countless films, television series

and stage productions, ensuring that his stories continue to captivate audiences around the world.