Charles Dickens Biography – the English Novelist whose Novels Introduced Iconic Characters

One of the most widely read authors, Charles Dickens wove imaginative stories, with a recurring theme of social reform, and created some of the most enduring characters in English literature. The fact that his works have never gone out of print bears testimony to Dickens’ popularity till today.

PHOTO BY PUBLIC DOMAIN

Charles Dickens Biography - the Ever Popular Victorian Writer

Charles Dickens’ (7 February 1812 - 9 June 1870) own life is very like the rags-to-riches stories he wrote, and in fact influenced his writing a great deal. In 1824 his father was imprisoned for bad debt and Dickens was put to work at a blacking factory, an experience that left an indelible mark on him and found expression in several novels such as David Copperfield (1850) and "Great Expectations" (1861). Dickens began his literary career as a journalist and wrote a serialized version of "The Pickwick Papers" (April 1836 to November 1837), which became enormously popular. Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby followed, also in a monthly serialized form. His best-selling novel, "A Tale of Two Cities" was published in 1859 and has sold over 200 million copies. He wrote over a dozen novels, several short stories, plays and non-fiction books. Dickens held public readings of his work, notwithstanding his deteriorating health and died of a stroke at the age of 58. He was buried in the Poets’ Corner of Westminster Abbey. The complete Charles Dickens Biography is available online.

Charles Dickens Novels - Hard Hitting Social Commentaries

Charles Dickens novels often revealed the ugly social truths in Victorian England - poverty, crime and social stratification. His second novel, Oliver Twist (1839), brought this theme out quite compellingly - Twist’s destitution, Fagin and company’s illicit activities and Nancy’s desperation. He forcefully depicted the exploitation and oppression faced by the poor in Hard Times (1854). Charles Dickens novels also significantly impacted public life with A Christmas Carol (1843) often credited with redefining the Christmas spirit and its family-oriented celebrations in England and elsewhere.

Great Expectations - Charles Dickens and Pip

Among Charles Dickens’ best-known novels is Great Expectations, which appeared as a weekly serial between December 1860 and August 1861. A poignant story of the orphan Pip, it depicts his growth and personal development as he aspires to become a gentleman and has expectations of wealth coming to him from a mysterious source. Dickensian themes of crime and social distinctions come heavily into play, as do moral themes of good versus evil, and Pip goes on to realize his ambitions but is eventually humbled by his own arrogance. Probably Dickens’ darkest work, the novel contains strong autobiographical elements.Photo Source : Public Domain