Victor Hugo by Charles Hugo

Victor Hugo by Charles Hugo, published in 1853, is a biography of the famous French writer and poet Victor Hugo, written by his son, Charles Hugo. Charles, who was himself a writer and a politician, sought to portray his father’s life in a way that celebrated his achievements and the immense influence Hugo had on literature, politics, and French society.

In this work, Charles paints a picture of Victor Hugo as both a literary giant and a man deeply involved in the political struggles of his time. The biography reflects not only Hugo’s creative genius but also his passionate commitment to social justice, his involvement in the French political upheavals, and his years of exile after opposing Napoleon III.

Victor Hugo, best known for works like Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, was not just a writer but also a leading public intellectual. The biography highlights his dedication to the fight for liberty, his advocacy for the poor and marginalized, and his role in shaping French culture and politics.

Charles Hugo’s biography helps to humanize the literary legend, offering a personal and familial perspective on the man who became an icon of French Romanticism.