Charles Dickens

Portrait by [[Jeremiah Gurney]], {{c.}} 1867–1868 Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read today.

Born in Portsmouth, Dickens left school at age 12 to work in a boot-blacking factory when his father John was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. After three years, he returned to school before beginning his literary career as a journalist. Dickens edited a weekly journal for 20 years; wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and nonfiction articles; lectured and performed readings extensively; was a tireless letter writer; and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education and other social reforms.

Dickens's literary success began with the 1836 serial publication of ''The Pickwick Papers'', a publishing phenomenon—thanks largely to the introduction of the character Sam Weller in the fourth episode—that sparked ''Pickwick'' merchandise and spin-offs. Within a few years, Dickens had become an international literary celebrity, famous for his humour, satire and keen observation of character and society. His novels, most of them published in monthly or weekly instalments, pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction, which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication. Cliffhanger endings in his serial publications kept readers in suspense. The instalment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audience's reaction, and he often modified his plot and character development based on such feedback. For example, when his wife's chiropodist expressed distress at the way Miss Mowcher in ''David Copperfield'' seemed to reflect her own disabilities, Dickens improved the character with positive features. His plots were carefully constructed and he often wove elements from topical events into his narratives. Masses of the illiterate poor would individually pay a halfpenny to have each new monthly episode read to them, opening up and inspiring a new class of readers.

His 1843 novella ''A Christmas Carol'' remains especially popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every creative medium. ''Oliver Twist'' and ''Great Expectations'' are also frequently adapted and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1853 novel ''Bleak House'', a satire on the judicial system, helped support a reformist movement that culminated in the 1870s legal reform in England. ''A Tale of Two Cities'' (set in London and Paris) is regarded as his best-known work of historical fiction. The most famous celebrity of his era, he undertook, in response to public demand, a series of public reading tours in the later part of his career. The term ''Dickensian'' is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social or working conditions, or comically repulsive characters. Provided by Wikipedia
Showing 1 - 20 results of 393 for search 'Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870', query time: 0.06s Refine Results
  1. 1

    The selected letters of Charles Dickens by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2012
    Format: Electronic eBook
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  2. 2

    The personal history of David Copperfield by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    London : Oxford University Press, 1948
    Format: Book


  3. 3

    A Christmas carol : a ghost story of Christmas by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    Minneapolis, MN : First Avenue Editions, 2015
    Format: Electronic eBook
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  4. 4

    The annotated Christmas carol : a Christmas carol by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    New York : C.N. Potter, 1976
    First edition.
    Format: Book


  5. 5

    The Life and adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    London : Electric Book Co., 2001
    Format: Electronic eBook
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  6. 6

    A Christmas carol by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1995
    First U.S. edition.
    Format: Book


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    The life of Our Lord : written for his children during the years 1846-1849 by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    New York : Simon and Schuster, 1934
    First edition.
    Format: Book


  9. 9

    The trial of William Tinkling : written by himself at the age of 8 years by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    London : Constable, 1910
    Format: Book


  10. 10

    The uncommercial traveller by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    London, New York, Oxford University Press, 1964
    Format: Book


  11. 11

    Nicholas Nickleby by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    London : New York : Dent; Dutton, 1907
    Format: Book


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    The life & adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    Oxford ; New York : Oxford Univ. Press, 1966
    Format: Book


  16. 16

    A tale of two cities by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    Philadelphia, Pa. : Courage Books, 1992
    Format: Electronic eBook
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  17. 17

    Letters of Charles Dickens by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1965
    Pilgrim edition.
    Other Authors:
    Format: Book


  18. 18

    American notes and Pictures from Italy by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    London, New York, Oxford University Press 1966
    Format: Book


  19. 19

    Great novels of Charles Dickens. by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    Bath : Parragon, 2000
    Other Authors: “…Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870…”
    Format: Book


  20. 20

    Select short fiction by Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

    Mineola, New York : Dover Publications, Inc., 2016
    Dover thrift editions.
    Format: Electronic eBook
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