Victor Hugo (1802–1885) is known to the Russian reader primarily as the author of the novels “Notre Dame de Paris,” “Les Miserables,” “The Ninety-Third Year,” etc. But Hugo’s role in the cultural, social and political history of the 19th century - and not only France, but throughout Europe - disproportionately wider. He was one of the most prominent publicists of the era; the whole world listened to his voice. This book contains the most significant speeches of the writer - in print and in parliamentary hearings - on the most pressing issues of culture and politics of his time. They still remain relevant today. A significant part of the published texts has been translated into Russian for the first time.