The Life of Charles Dickens

Early Life Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812 in Portsmouth. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Dickens. Charles was the second of eight children. John was sent to Marshalsea Prison (debtors prison) and brought his family with him except for Charles. Charles was put to work at Warren's Blacking Factory. Charles was twelve when his father was released. Charles was sent to private school from 1824 to 1827.

Young Adult Life 1827: At 15, Charles found employment as an office boy with an attorney. 1830: Charles met and fell in love with Maria Beadnell, the daughter of a banker. (Relationship ended in 1833.) 1832: Charles began work as a reporter for a newspaper. 1834: Charles adopted the famous pseudonym “Boz”. 1835: He met and became engaged to Catherine Hogarth. Catherine Maria

Adult Life 1836: Charles started a set of creative stories called The Pickwick Papers. 1837: November: The last installment of The Pickwick Papers was published. –Oliver Twist began and continued in monthly parts until April of –Charles and Catherine's first child out of ten was born. –Catherine's younger sister Mary, whom Dickens idolized, died.

To America America had welcomed Charles's books from the start. Charles longed to study America and its freedom first hand. Charles was excited to experience America, but later became disgusted. In January of 1842, Charles and Catherine landed in Boston. Charles spoke everywhere of the need for an international copyright that would protect the rights of both American and British writers. –He wanted to protect other writers such as Edgar Allan Poe.

To America

Late Life 1858: In London, Charles gave his first public reading for money. –Charles and Catherine separated. 1860: Great Expectations began in weekly installments until August of : Charles was in poor health due to consistent overwork. 1867: Charles returned to America for a second trip of a reading tour that lasted until : Charles had a mild stroke. 1870: Charles's final public readings took place in London. June 8, 1870: Charles suffered another stroke. June 9, 1870: Charles Dickens died. September 1870: The last episode of the unfinished Mystery of Edwin Drood appeared.

Novels A Christmas Carol: A story about redemption of a selfish and hard-hearted old man Ebenezer Scrooge. A Tale of Two Cities : A historial novel telling an intriguing story of love, courage and self-sacrifice during the French Revolution. Barnaby Rudge : A historical novel of the Gordon Riots in 1780, tells a story of individuals caught up in the mindless violence of the mob. Bleak House : a tragic, romantic and complicated story about the inheritance and absurdities of English law in the 1850s. David Copperfield: a story about the struggles and obstacles of life that a young man overcomes. –**Is considered to be a fictionalize account of Dickens's early life. Dombey and Son: a story about Paul Dombey, a wealthy businessman, whose dream is to have a son to continue his business. Great Expectations: a story about a boy named Pip and charts his progress through life. Hard Times: a story of a number of different characters and their growth through troubles and time. Little Dorrit: a novel about disappointment and a satire on the shortcomings of the government and society. Nicholas Nickleby: a story of a young man and his family dealing with the hardships in their life. Oliver Twist : a story of injustice and hope through the eyes of orphaned boy who escapes to London. Our Mutual Friend: satiric masterpiece and mysterious story about money and its relations among the intriguing characters. The Chimes: a story about self-respect and the consequences of our choices. The Cricket on the Hearth: tells the story of John Peerybingle and his love for his wife Dot. Martin Chuzzlewit: The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit is a brilliant satire on selfishness and hypocrisy. The Mystery of Edwin Drood: an unsolved mystery about Edwin Drood (Dickens died before completing the story, leaving the mystery unsolved). The Old Curiosity Shop: tells the story of a young girl, who lives with her grandfather in his shop of curiosities. The Pickwick Papers: a story about a man who is dealt an injustice with the law.

Fun Facts Charles never attended college. Charles was not only a writer but a journalist, a director, and actor of amateur plays. Charles suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. –He had to touch certain things 3 times every day. –He aligned every bed he slept in from north-south. –He rearranged furniture in his home and couldn't concentrate if it wasn't in the correct position. Charles had a book case with fake books with such silly titles as Noah's Arkitecture and a nine- volume set titled Cat's Lives. A Christmas Carol was conceived and written in only a few weeks.

Charles Dickens February 7, 1812 – June 9, 1870