Why did Victor Hugo choose 24601 as Jean Valjean's prison number?

Question:

Why did Victor Hugo choose 24601 as Jean Valjean's prison number?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: According to Wikipedia:

Jean Valjean's convict number was 24601. Popular myth states that the number was chosen by Hugo because it was the date that he was conceived (24th of June, 1801). It is only known that he was born on Feb 26, 1802, approximately 8 months later.