Dickens, Charles

Biography

Born Portsmouth 1812. Taught by mother briefly, attended a dame-school, then a "classical, mathematical and commercial" school. Voracious reader in childhood. Moved to London 1822. Father committed to debtor's prison Feb 1824, Charles employed at factory. Father released from prison May 1824, Charles returns to school 1825-27. Began work as solicitor's clerk. Established as journalist Nov 1828, taken on to staff of the True Sun 1832. First published literary work 1833. Moved to the Morning Chronicle 1834. Wrote letterpress for a series of steel-engraved plates 1836 (The Pickwick Papers). Resigned from Morning Chronicle Oct 1836. Oliver Twist published in monthly instalments 1837-8, Nicholas Nickleby 1838-9, The Old Curiosity Shop 1840-1, Barnaby Rudge 1841. Visited America 1842, published travel book Oct 1842. Martin Chuzzlewit published in instalments 1842-44. A Christmas Carol published 1843 (published four other Christmas books 1844-47). Moved to Genoa 1844-5, travelled around Italy 1845, published travel book 1846. Moved to Lausanne 1846, Paris Winter 1846-7, back to London Mar 1847. Published Dombey and Son in instalments 1846-48, David Copperfield 1849-50. Published journal Household Words 1850-9. Bleak House published in instalments 1852-3, Hard Times 1854, Little Dorrit 1855-7. Travelled to Paris Winter 1855-6. Public readings 1858-1864, 1865-1867. Published journal All The Year Round 1859-. A Tale of Two Cities published in instalments 1859, Great Expectations 1861, Our Mutual Friend 1864-5. Visited America 1867-8. First instalment of The Mystery of Edwin Drood published Apr 1870, 6 instalments published. Died Gad's Hill, June 1870.

Biography Date

1812-1870

Biography References

LOC; CERL; DNB;

Book List