Perhaps one of the most significant French writers, Victor Hugo was born on February 26th, 1802, the youngest of three sons. His father was a general in Napoleon's army, and his mother was a strong-minded, religious woman. Dissatisfied with the constant moves required by army life, Madame Hugo settled with her children in Paris.
Hugo began writing at a young age, and at seventeen years old he won a national poetry prize. He published his first book of poetry in 1822, which provided him the funds to marry his childhood sweetheart, Adéle Foucher, and fathered four children with her. Hugo was an incredibly prolific writer, penning poetry, plays, and prose. He exploded onto the national...
