Charles Dickens

Early Life and Family

Charles John Huffam Dickens was a well-renowned English novelist and social critic in the 19th century famous for creating the best fictional characters. Charles Dickens was regarded as a literary genius, the best novelist in the Victorian era, and his works were appreciated by various scholars. Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England. He was the second of eight children to John Dickens, who worked as a clerk in the Navy Pay Office, and Elizabeth Dickens. Dickens’ family had to move to several places like London and Sheerness, due to his father’s work.

Childhood and Early Struggles

Dickens was considered a small and neglected boy who liked to spend time outdoors with nature or read books by famous authors like Tobias Smollett, Henry Fielding, and Robinson Crusoe. One of his favorite stories was The Arabian Nights, which he used to read multiple times. At the age of 12, his family was struggling with finances due to his father’s imprisonment in Marshalsea debtors’ prison, which was common during that time. During that time, Charles went to live with a family friend and had to drop out of school to work as a factory worker so he could support himself and his family. After the situation got better, he was able to return to school and complete his education. Later he worked as a reporter and visited theaters regularly, which helped him become familiar with the system.

Career Beginnings

In 1833, he started working as a political journalist and also traveled across England for campaigns. In 1836, he published his first collection called “Sketches by Boz”, which was taken from journals and sketches. Later he signed a contract with publishers Chapman and Hall, which led to the creation of “The Pickwick Papers”. In the following years, he created and published one of his most well-known novels, namely “Oliver Twist”, which depicted the harsh life of an orphan, and “Nicholas Nickleby” in 1837.

Famous Novels and the “Dickensian” Era

In the 1840s, Dickens published numerous novels which he often referred to as the “Dickensian” novels, showcasing his writing skills. The novels included “The Old Curiosity Shop”, “Barnaby Rudge”, “A Christmas Carol”, “Martin Chuzzlewit”, “Dombey and Son”, and “David Copperfield”. Among these, “A Christmas Carol” was his most famous and loved story, which is considered a classic Christmas story.

Social Impact and Philanthropy

Charles Dickens rapidly gained fame and social success through his publications. He used his fame and journalistic talents to address social issues and injustices. In 1842, he visited the USA for the first time where he gave lectures and indicated his strong stance against slavery. His involvement in philanthropic deeds included the establishment of the Urania Cottage, a home for the redemption of fallen women. In 1854, he wrote a novel called “Hard Times”, “Little Dorrit”, and “Bleak House” to spread awareness of injustice during his time. In the 1850s, he gained as a public reader in both England and the US.

Farewell Readings and Final Years

In 1868, Dickens started a journey of farewell readings across the UK. Sadly, his health started to decline, and he had to stop the journey. He began working on his last novel called “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”

Death and Legacy

On June 9, 1870, Dickens suffered a stroke and died at his home at the age of 58 in Higham, Kent, England. Charles Dickens’ novels are still read and loved by readers, and his works have adapted various forms like films and theater. His writing and storytelling style were adored by scholars and critics around the world.