By Order of the King

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) was a novelist, poet and dramatist, most important of French Romantic writers. Among Hugo's best-known works are "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Les Miserables." Hugo invented his own version of the historical novel, combining the local color and historical detail of Honore de Balzac and the spiritual discourse of George Sand. Hugo died in Paris on May 22, 1885. He was given at his death a national funeral. It was attended by two million people. Victor Hugo is buried in the Pantheon.