The Real People Who Inspired Timeless Fictional Characters

The Man Who Became The Protagonist And Antagonist

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Eugene Francois Vidocq was a French detective during the 19th century. He started out as a criminal that escaped from prison and spent years in hiding. He eventually started his own business, then became a detective for the French authorities.

During that time, he used his knowledge from his past criminal life to hunt down and capture other criminals. His actions and transition in life inspired both the protagonist Jean Valjean and the antagonist Inspector Javert from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. His life story also helped inspire Edgar Allen Poe to write an early form of detective fiction.