Victor Hugo
1802–1885 · French (Besançon/Paris/Guernsey) · 19th Century France
Known for: Author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame—France's greatest Romantic writer
Victor Hugo was a colossal figure—literally and figuratively the most prominent French writer of the 19th century. He served as a senator, spent 19 years in exile on Guernsey for opposing Napoleon III, and was a tireless advocate for the poor, against the death penalty, and for universal suffrage.
Les Misérables is a universal story of justice, mercy, and redemption. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame saved the cathedral from demolition. His ego was enormous (he reportedly wanted Paris renamed after him), but so was his output and his compassion. His state funeral in 1885 drew two million mourners.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.