Charles Dickens: Biography


Charles Dickens was born in Portsea, England on February 7, 1812 and died
June 9,1870. He is now regarded as one of the greatest English writers. His
novels combine vast social perspective and deep compassion for the lower class.
His works are still widely read, taught, and performed in modern dramatizations.
Dickens was born into a poor family. When he was 12 his father was
imprisoned for debt. Dickens was removed from school and put to work in a
blacking factory. He lived alone in a lodging house in North London. His
father received inheritance after a few months and Charles finally returned to
school, but his money troubles were not over. When he was 15 he went to work as
a clerk in a law firm and later became a reporter. He was also a quick
stenographer.
In (1837-1839) OLIVER TWIST was being serialized in a monthly magazine
called Bently's Miscellany. In 1836 Charles married Catherine Hogarth and they
had 10 children. They seperated in 1858. In March 1840, Dickens started a
weekly periodical called Master Humphrey's Clock in which he published The Old
Curiosity Shop , Barnaby Rudge , and a Christmas Carol.
When Dickens died he was an angry man but he is still remembered as one of
the greatest authors. His works range from HARD TIMES (1854), a satire of
Victorian education and a portrayal of of the ugliness of factory life, through
A TALE OF TWO CITIES (1859), which portrays the chaos of revolutions. Dickens
remains a master storyteller whose works are laced with humor and social satire.
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