Death of Eldest Daughter Léopoldine

Léopoldine Hugo, the eldest daughter of the renowned French poet Victor Hugo, tragically drowned in the Seine River at Villequier. This incident occurred shortly after her marriage to Charles Vacquerie. On the day of the accident, Léopoldine was on a boat with her husband when it overturned. In a desperate attempt to save her, Charles Vacquerie also lost his life. The loss of Léopoldine, who was only 19 years old, had a profound impact on Victor Hugo, who was traveling in the south of France at the time. He learned of her death through a newspaper he encountered in a café, which left him in a state of shock and deep sorrow. This personal tragedy became a pivotal moment in Hugo's life and work, influencing his poetry significantly.