1815-11-01 00:00:00
Jean Valjean released on parole; Cosette and Eponine born
Valjean is released from prison, finds no one will hire him because he is a criminal. Ends up at the house of the Bishop, where he steals the Bishop's silver. The police are called, but the Bishop claims the silver was a gift and basically buys Valjean's soul for God.
1820-02-26 00:00:00
"Ode on the Death of the Due de Berri" published
Caught the attention of French court; Louis XVIII sends him 500 francs.
1823-11-01 00:00:00
Fantine Dies; Valjean becomes a prisoner again
Promises Fantine he will take care of her daughter, but she dies before he can reunite them. Learns that another man has been mistaken for him and has been sentenced to a life in prison. Valjean reveals himself and is sent back to jail.
1830-02-25 00:00:00
Premiere of "Hernani"
Interrupted by fist fights between its admirers and detractors.
1830-07-27 12:50:24
July Rebellion of 1830
In response to Bourbon Restoration
1832-01-14 00:00:00
Hugo meets Juliette Drouet
Was his mistress and inspiration for almost 50 years.
1832-06-05 00:00:00
June Rebellion
After the funeral of General Lamarque, revolutionaries begin to build the barricade, but French soliders shut down the revolution, killing Eponine, Gavroche, Enjolras, and the other revolutionaries. Valjean saves Marius because he loves Cosette.
1843-09-04 00:00:00
Death of Léopoldine Hugo
Drowned with her husband in the Seine; many poems written by Hugo in response.
1851-12-02 00:00:00
Coup d'État de 1851
Coup staged by Louis-Napoleon to stay in power; resulted in dissolution of the French National Assembly and restoration of French Empire
1853-12-02 00:00:00
Publishes "Les Châtiments"
Book of poetry, most poems written in mid 1840s-mid 1853s. Was expanded in 1870.