Victor Hugo

Heine, Delacroix and Hugo frequented the same literary/artistic salons. Berlioz became a friend after reading ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’ and writing to him. Hugo contributed to Dumas’ journal; Dumas dedicated a play to him. He encouraged Gautier (introduced by Nerval) to write. Sainte-Beuve, a friend, cuckolded him. Andersen, never close, visited him across thirty years; with Balzac too the relationship was of mutual respect, Hugo visiting Balzac on his deathbed. His badly cooked macaroni led Mérimée to invite him home and show him how it should really be done. Nadar, a friend for many years, visited him as he lay dying.