Life
Victor Marie Hugo (26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885) was a French writer who worked in many forms: a poet, playwright, novelist, a statesman and an advocate for human rights. He emerged as a leading figure of the Romantic movement in France.
Work
Hugo first attracted attention with his poetry, and he later became well known for his novels and his contributions to the theatre through plays. Among his important poetry volumes are Les Contemplations and La Légende des siècles. Outside France, readers most often recognise him for two novels:
- Les Misérables
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (original French title: Notre-Dame de Paris)
Politics and legacy
Hugo's political views evolved over his lifetime. In his youth he was aligned with the conservative royalist camp, but he later adopted more liberal positions and became an advocate of republicanism. His writings address many political and social concerns and reflect the artistic debates of his era. He was buried in the Panthéon in Paris.