Victor Hugo: His Life and Work

** "Victor Hugo: His Life and Work" by George Barnett Smith is a 19th-century biography that follows the extraordinary life of French literary icon Victor Hugo. From his birth during Napoleon's reign to his rise as a leading figure in Romanticism, the book chronicles Hugo's personal evolution alongside his artistic achievements in poetry, novels, and plays. The biography highlights the blend of familial influence and personal trials that shaped Hugo's character. His early life, marked by delicate health and sentimental inclinations, fueled his creative passions and set the stage for a remarkable career as a writer, novelist, and advocate for social change. It emphasizes the historical and societal context that drove Hugo's motivations, struggles, and profound literary works. **