Victor Hugo (1802–1885) was a towering French writer, poet, playwright, and political figure, considered one of the greatest authors of the 19th century. Best known for his novels Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Hugo's works focused on themes of justice, morality, love, and the plight of the downtrodden. His literary style is marked by vivid imagery, deep emotional resonance, and a keen eye for social commentary.
Hugo was not only a writer but also an influential political figure who championed human rights and social justice. He served in the French National Assembly and was an outspoken critic of Napoleon III, which led to his exile from France for nearly two decades. During his exile in Guernsey, he wrote many of his most famous works, including Les Misérables. His political activism and works that advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, freedom of the press, and the rights of women and the poor cemented his reputation as a socially conscious artist.
After his return to France, he was widely celebrated and became a national symbol of French literature and the Romantic movement. When he died in 1885, Hugo was given a national funeral, and he was buried in the Panthéon in Paris, where he rests among other great French figures. His legacy continues to inspire, with his novels adapted into countless films, musicals, and plays, impacting literature and popular culture worldwide.
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