Fun Facts Friday: Victor Hugo and Adèle Foucher

Tomorrow, October 14 1822, we will celebrate the anniversary of famous writer and poet Victor Hugo marrying his childhood sweetheart Adèle Foucher. The marriage survived infidelities, children and scandal.

Books by Victory Hugo*

Fun Facts about the marriage of Victor Hugo and Adèle Foucher:

1 )      Victor Hugo’s brother suffered a nervous breakdown at the wedding breakfast

2 )      That same year Hugo published his poetry collection which won him a pension from Louis XVIII.

3 )      Adèle was Hugo’s neighbor’s daughter.

4 )      Mrs. Hugo was against the marriage, believing her son should marry into a better family. The couple got together after Mrs. Hugo’s death.

5 )      Victor & Adèle had five children.

6 )      Victor started messing around with Juliette Drouet, who became his mistress.

7 )      Around the same time Adèle became involved with a critic and Victor’s good friend Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve.

8 )      Drouet became Victor’s unpaid secretary and even though he had several affairs he always came back to her.

9 )      Victor and another mistress, Léonie Biard, got busted during one of their escapades. Biard went to jail for adultery. Victor walked away, being a pair de France he had immunity from prosecution. (Robb)

10)   Alice Ozy was the fiancé of Victor’s son. However she was unfaithful and he asked his father help. Victor seduced Alice as well. As you can imagine his son was pleased.

Zohar – Man of la Book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on books

References:
Robb, Graham, Victor Hugo: a Biography. page 249 and 253, Chapter 12, New York, London, W.W. Norton and Company, 1998
The Romantic Life of Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo Marries Adele Foucher

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