Victor Hugo

1802 – 1885. French Romantic writer and politician. During a literary career that spanned more than sixty years, he wrote in a variety of genres and forms. Most famous for "Les Misérables" and "Notre-Dame de Paris". He became a passionate supporter of republicanism, serving in politics as deputy and senator. His work touched upon most of the political and social issues and the artistic trends of his time. His opposition to absolutism, and his literary stature, established him as a national hero. Hugo died on 22 May 1885, aged 83. He was given a state funeral in the Panthéon of Paris, which was attended by over 2 million people, the largest in French history.