Characters
Victor HugoIn his youth, Victor Hugo was a devoted Catholic and Royalist, loyal to the Monarchy, praising King Charles X and his family in many Odes. Suddenly, in 1827, Victor Hugo changes drastically. He becomes a 'Free Thinker' and starts writing plays and poems against the King and the Royal Family.
What might have transpired that would alter his perspective so drastically? |
VidocqEugène François Vidocq, founder of la Sûreté police in France. The father of modern criminology, and the first modern detective.
Having a unique insight to the criminal mind, he could capture any criminal he hunted. (Guess what character(s) Victor Hugo based on him?) |
Édouard DelonFormer childhood friend of Victor Hugo.
A letter sent by Victor to the Delon family was intercepted by the French government. Unbeknownst to Victor, that letter put him under close observation. Delon was a member of the Carbonari, a secret revolutionary society founded in the early 19th-century. They were involved with the Spanish Revolution of 1820 and later the July Revolution in France, 1830. |
The Rogue GeneralGeneral François Fournier-Sarlovèze was known as "the worst subject of the Grande Armée." He lost his rank due to dishonesty, illegal activities and for disobeying a superior officer (Napoleon Bonaparte).
He was a master swordsman and killed many men in duels. The character of 'The Duelist' is based on him. When the Bourbon family was restored to power in 1815, the King promoted him as inspector-general of the cavalry. In this position, he puts himself above the law and believes he is unstoppable. |
One of the 'KAEZH'The little girl Colette lives in the ancient Roman ruins, under the Notre Dame Cathedral.
She is one of the 'Kaezh', an ancient Gaul word meaning the "wretched... those born without hope." ... or as Victor Hugo called them: 'Les Misérables'. |
Alexandre Parent du ChâteletA doctor who lectured in hopes of health care reform in France. In 1824, he published a book which warned of the co-relation of dumping waste into the Paris sewers and the cholera epidemic (which killed 20,000 Parisians - including General Lamarque). He also wrote a book detailing the health risks for prostitutes. Victor Hugo would go on to use du Châtelet's medical research as reference for Les Misérables.
In this novel, he administers medical attention to one who can't afford it. |
Jacques PeuchetDuring the French Revolution, Peuchet posed as a Rebel while secretly helping people escape the guillotine. When the Bourbon family was restored he became the Police Archivist.
He knew everyone's darkest secrets, from the skeletons in the Hugos' closet to the double-crossing conspirators in the upper ranks of France's government. |