Victor-Marie Hugo was a prolific French poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, and human rights activist. He was a central figure of the Romantic movement in France.

In France, Hugo's literary fame primarily stems from his poetry, but he is also renowned for his novels and dramatic achievements. His poetry volumes, such as Les Contemplations and La Légende des siècles, are highly esteemed, and he is often hailed as the greatest French poet. Internationally, his most famous works are the novels Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris (also known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame).

Initially a conservative royalist, Hugo's political views transformed over time, and he became a fervent republican, integrating political and social issues and artistic trends of his time into his work. Hugo passed away on May 22, 1885, and was honored with a burial at the Panthéon in Paris.

Hugo's influence extended beyond literature; he inspired musical adaptations, including the opera Rigoletto and the musicals Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris. A committed social activist, he campaigned for the abolition of capital punishment and slavery.

Hugo's legacy as a literary giant and political activist remains influential, and his state funeral was attended by over two million people, the largest in French history.