Jean-Marc Hovasse

Jean-Marc Hovasse is a CNRS Research Director seconded to Sorbonne University, where he leads the 19th Century Writings Team and co-heads the Autobiography Team at the Institute of Modern Texts and Manuscripts (ITEM CNRS / ENS Paris). He chairs the International Society of Artistic, Literary and Scientific Genetics (SIGALES) since 2016.

• Education: Former student of École Normale Supérieure de Fontenay-Saint-Cloud (now Lyon), Doctor of Letters from University of Paris 7, Accredited to Direct Research from University of Paris Sorbonne.

His research focuses on Victor Hugo studies, epistolary writing, and genetic criticism, with expertise in 19th-century French literature (Baudelaire, Flaubert, Zola). He has directed collective works on correspondence in poetry, biography, and theatre, and co-edits volumes like Écrire l'intime au temps du réalisme et du naturalisme (2017).

Notable achievements include republishing Victor Hugo’s works (e.g., The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, 2012 English edition) and serving as Scientific Director for the digital edition of Juliette Drouet's letters to Victor Hugo. His accolades include the CNRS Bronze Medal (2002) and the Veolia Foundation Youth Book Prize (2016).

• Scientific Awards:
  • CNRS Bronze Medal (2002)
  • Le Point's Twenty Best Books (2008)
  • Veolia Foundation Youth Book Prize (2016)
  • Besançon City Medal (2014)

He has advised on Hugo exhibitions across Switzerland, Belgium, France, and China, and served as editorial director for Le Monde special issue on Hugo (2012) and edited a special Hugo issue of Genesis (2017). His ongoing projects include the third volume of his Victor Hugo biography.