CHARLES DICKENS February 7, 2024
English novelist author Charles Dickens began life on February 7, 1812.
He wrote famous books during the Victorian era like “Oliver Twist” and “A Christmas Carol.” He’s worth celebrating today on his birthday!
Dickens grew up in England, the second of eight children. His family moved around a lot because his father worked for the Navy Pay Office. When Dickens was just four years old, his family moved to different places, including Sheerness and Chatham, Kent.
He loved reading books, especially adventurous stories like “The Arabian Nights.” Sadly, when Dickens was young, his mother died in prison because of debts. Dickens had to pay the debts and moved his family to live with a friend.
In 1832, Dickens got a job working in the House of Commons, thanks to his uncle. He started writing stories and submitted his first one, “A Dinner at Poplar Walk,” to a magazine in 1833. By 1836, he became the editor of a magazine called Bentley’s Miscellany. Then, in 1838, his famous book “Oliver Twist” was published. It was the first Victorian novel to have a child as the main character.
After that, Dickens wrote many more books, including “A Christmas Carol” in 1843 and “The Cricket on the Hearth” in 1845. In 1859, he wrote “A Tale of Two Cities,” and in 1861, he wrote “Great Expectations.” He kept writing until his last book, “Edwin Drood,” which he didn’t finish because he passed away in 1870 after having a stroke.
Dickens married Catherine Thomson Hogarth in 1836, but they separated in 1858. After that, he was in a relationship with Ellen Ternan until he died. He had 10 children altogether.
Charles Dickens was a celebrated novelist, and his stories are still loved today. He left behind a legacy of wonderful tales that continue to be enjoyed by readers all over the world.