Charles Dickens - His own story!



This most famous author, well-known for his short fiction and wonderful novels, came from a happy and prosperous beginning. He was born in Camden Town, London, England on February 7th, 1812, the son of John and Elizabeth Dickens. Unfortunately when Charles was just 12 years old his father fell into debt and was placed in Marshalsea debtor's prison in Southwark. Charles was forced to leave school and go to work in a bootblack factory to help support his family. He hated life in the factory and this experience was responsible for his sensitive writing in novels such as Oliver Twist. After three months his father received a legacy from a relative which allowed him to pay his £40 debt and be released from Marshalsea Prison when Charles was able to attend school once again. He left school and worked as a reporter and journalist. He then started to write some of his great books and short stories. Dickens married Catherine Hogarth and they had 10 children before they separated in 1858.

Charles Dickens wrote some great and famous novels and short stories which reflected on the squalor and poverty in England and the the plight of the lower classes and the social iniquities of the era. His most famous books included:

• The Pickwick Papers written in 1837

• Oliver Twist written in 1838

• Nicholas Nickleby written in 1839

• The Old Curiosity Shop written in 1841

• Barnaby Rudge written in 1841

• Martin Chuzzlewit written in 1843

• A Christmas Carol written in 1843

• Dombey and Son written in 1848

• David Copperfield written in 1850

• Bleak House written in 1853

• Hard Times written in 1854

• Little Dorrit written in 1857

• A Tale of Two Cities written in 1859

• Great Expectations written in 1861

• Our Mutual Friend written in 1865

• The Mystery of Edwin Drood written in 1870

Charles Dickens died at Gadshill of a stroke on June 9, 1870 and was buried at Westminster Abbey.