Biography of Victor Hugo.

Essay by ipodrixJunior High, 8th gradeA+, November 2005

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Victor Marie Vicomete Hugo, was one of the most distinguished French writers. He was born on February 26, 1802, in Besancon, France. He was the son of General Count Léopold-Sigisbert Hugo and Sophie Hugo. At the age of 13, he attended the lycée Louis-le Grand in Paris where he showed his talent for writing verse tragedies and poetry. In 1817 he was honoured by a French Academy for a poem that he wrote. In 1822, Hugo married Adèle Foucher who was the daughter of an officer in the French ministry of war.

His first collection of poems, Bug-Jargal published in 1824, and "Odes Et Poeisies Diverses" (Miscellaneous Odes and Verses) published in 1826, gained him a Royal Pension from Louis XVII. He also wrote several dramas such as Hernani in 1830 which made him instantly famous. Victor gained his fame largely from the novels he wrote. In 1931, his famous historical work, The Hunchback of Notre Dame became an instant success and the story has become part of the French culture.

The novel, set in 15th century Paris, tells a moving story of a gypsy girl Esmeralda and the deformed bell ringer, Quasimodo, who loves her.

In his later life Hugo became involved in politics as a supporter of the republican form of government. After three unsuccessful attempts, Hugo was elected in 1841 to the Académie Francaise. This triumph was shadowed by the death of Hugo's daughter Léopoldine in 1843. It was only after a decade that Hugo again published books. He devoted himself to politics, advocating social justice. After the 1848 revolution, with the formation of the Second Republic, Hugo was elected to the Constitutional Assembly and to the legislative assembly. Les Misérables

When the coup d'état by Louis Napoleon (Napoleon III) took place in 1851, Hugo believed...