Victor Hugo

"Victor Hugo" by Algernon Charles Swinburne is a biographical tribute that captures the essence of Victor Hugo's monumental impact on literature and society. Swinburne frames Hugo as a literary giant whose death in 1885 was mourned worldwide, a testament to his influence as a poet, healer, and defender of the oppressed. By contrasting Hugo's public mourning with that of Shakespeare, Swinburne lays the groundwork for exploring Hugo's early displays of talent in poetry and drama. The text underlines the wide scope of Hugo's creative works, exemplified by pieces such as "Cromwell" and "Notre-Dame de Paris," revealing the depth of his literary contributions and establishing his position as both a literary figure and a powerful advocate during the 19th century.