Victor-Marie Hugo, sometimes nicknamed the Ocean Man, was a towering figure in French Romantic literature and politics. His illustrious career spanned more than six decades, during which he made indelible contributions to a variety of genres and forms. Hugo's literary fame is most pronounced for his epic novels The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) and Les Misérables (1862), which have transcended geographic and linguistic boundaries to become global classics.

In France, Hugo is celebrated not only for his novels but also for his extensive poetry, including collections like Les Contemplations and La Légende des siècles. His early work in advancing the Romantic movement, especially through his play Cromwell and drama Hernani, has been influential. Hugo was not just a literary giant; he was also a visual artist, producing over 4,000 drawings, and a vocal advocate for social causes such as the abolition of capital punishment and slavery.

Despite beginning his career as a committed royalist, Hugo's political views evolved markedly over time, becoming a fervent supporter of republicanism. He engaged actively in politics, serving as both a deputy and senator, and his work often reflected the political and social issues of his era. Hugo's opposition to absolutism and his literary achievements cemented his status as a national hero in France. His legacy is celebrated with a state funeral at the Panthéon in Paris, attended by over 2 million people, marking the largest such ceremony in French history.