Victor-Marie Hugo ( 26 February 1802 â `` 22 May 1885 ) was a French poet , playwright , novelist , essayist , visual artist , statesman , human rights activist . He played an important part in the Romantic movement in France . Victor-Marie Hugo ( 26 February 1802 â `` 22 May 1885 ) was a French poet , playwright , novelist , essayist , visual artist , statesman , human rights activist and exponent of the Romantic movement in France .