Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer considered one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian period. He wrote many iconic novels and characters, including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol. Dickens had a difficult childhood and left school at a young age to work in a factory, though he later became a successful journalist and author. He traveled throughout Europe and America and wrote numerous acclaimed novels that were often serialized in magazines, exposing social problems and gaining massive popularity.
2. Biography
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English writer, generally
considered to be the greatest novelist of the Victorian period
and responsible for some of English literature's most iconic
novels and characters. Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth
on 7th of February of 1812.Charles spent his childhood in the
atmosphere of love and friendship. Charles grew up in
Chatham(east of London)and lived there until he was ten.
3. Biography
When he was only 12 years old ,his father went to prison
because of financial problems and his family moved to Kent in
London. Dickens left the school and went to work in a factory.
In 1813 he became a newspaper reporter. Soon he started writing
short stories for magazines. A lot of people bougth the
magazines to read the story.
Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in April 1836.They had ten
children and he divorced in 1858.
4. Biography
In 1858 he undertook a tour of the UK and Ireland,where he
read excerpts from his work publicly.After acquiring the house
where he spent his childhood, Gad’s Hill Place ,in 1856,soon
became their permanent residence.Dickens travailled and lived
in north America , swtlzerland,Italy and France.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke in his house,
after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained
consciousness, and the next day, on 9 June, five years to the day
after the Staplehurst rail crash (9 June 1865), he died in Gad's
Hill Place. He was buried in poets Corner in Westminster Abbey
in London.
5. Early novels
In 1833 Dickens's first story, A Dinner at Poplar Walk was
published in the London periodical, Monthly Magazine. The
following year he rented rooms at Furnival's Inn becoming a
political journalist, reporting on parliamentary debate and
travelling across Britain to cover election campaigns for the
Morning Chronicle. His journalism, in the form of sketches in
periodicals, formed his first collection of pieces Sketches by Boz,
published in 1836. This led to the serialisation of his first novel,
The Pickwick Papers, in March 1836. He continued to contribute
to and edit journals throughout his literary career.
6. Importantworks:
-Oliver Twist(1838):
Oliver Twist was the second novel of Charles
Dickens.The story follows the young life of an
orphan who endures a horrible life in a
workhouse(a place where those unable to support
themselves are offered employment and
housing).Oliver is later placed with an undertaker
of whom he later escapes,but only to fall into the
evil hands of a pickpocket gang.
This book is know for exposing the terrible
treatment of orphaned children in London during
this time.
7. Importantworks:
-David Copperfield(1850):
This story follows the life of David Copperfield from
childhood to adult. As a child David is sent to
boarding school by stepfather because he defended
himself during a beating.The story continues into
David’s adult years, and so many traits of his
character can be applied to Dickens himself.
This novel is said to follow many events of Dickens
own life , and out of all his works is know as the
closest to an autobiography.
8. Importantworks:
-A Tale of Two Cities(1859):
It takes a place in the early years of
the revolution, and provides look
into the demoralization of the
peasants by the aristocrats,and in a
twist the brutal treatment of former
aristocrats by the revolutionaries.
This novel is reviewed as one of the
most famous works in history of
fictional literature.
9. Importantworks:
-Great Expectations(1860):
This story follows the live in an orphan named
Philip Phirrip.In the beginning Pip lives with is
abusive sister and her husband, but he is later
sent to live with a woman who teaches him to work
a laborer,despite his hopes she will teach him to be
a gentleman.The story continues to follow Pip
throughout his life through adulthood.He
eventualy inherits a fortune.
The majority of critics agree that this novel is
Dickens greatest.
10. Importantworks:
-A Christmas Carol(1843):
One of Charles Dickens most famous and loved
story is a Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge is a
business owne who only thinks of turning a profit
and cares nothing for his employee Mr.Cratchit.
Mr.Scrooges evil ways have prompted three spirits
to show him his mistakes and what will come of
him if he doesn’t fix his wicked ways.
12. Myopinion:
Charles Dickens was one of the best writers in the
world. His stories are very good and famous and funny
too. In my opinion , he was a very good writer.