Victor-Marie Hugo was born on February 26, 1802, in Besançon, France. He pursued a career in literature from a young age, quickly becoming an influential poet, playwright, and novelist. His work touched upon social and political issues of his time, and he became a leading figure in the Romantic literary movement. Hugo's prolific work includes 'Les Misérables', a tale of social injustice, and 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame', a historical novel set in medieval Paris. His literary legacy has had a profound impact on French literature and continues to resonate with readers and audiences around the world. Hugo was also active in politics, advocating for social causes such as the abolition of the death penalty. He passed away on May 22, 1885, in Paris, and is buried in the Panthéon, a mausoleum for distinguished French figures.