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Birth
Charles John Huffam Dickens was born in Landport, Portsmouth, on February 7, 1812. Charles was the second of eight children to John Dicken. -
A change
The Dickens family moved to London in 1814 and two years later to Chatham, Kent, where Charles spent early years of his childhood -
Another change
Due to the financial difficulties they moved back to London, where they settled in Camden Town, a poor neighborhood of London. -
A big impact
His father, who had a difficult time managing money, was imprisoned in the Marshalsea debtor's prison . Because of this, Dickens was withdrawn from school and forced to work in a warehouse that handled shoe polish to help support the family. This experience left profound psychological and sociological effects on Charles. It gave him acquaintance with poverty and made him the most vigorous and influential voice of the working classes in his age. -
A big impact (second part)
For this reason Charles informed through his writings of his deprivations, as an oppressed or bewildered child. After a few months Dickens's father was released from prison and Charles was allowed to go back to school. -
Something big is coming.
In 1833 Dickens began to contribute short stories and essays to periodicals. A Dinner at Popular Walk was Dickens's first published story. It appeared in the Monthly Magazine in December 1833.
Dickens's first book, a collection of stories titled Sketches by Boz. -
Sketches by Boz.
Dickens's first book, a collection of stories titled Sketches by Boz. -
Two hearts come together
He married Catherine Hogarth, daughter of the editor of the Evening Chronicle. Together they had 10 children before they separated in 1858. -
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A great work
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club was published in monthly parts. Became one of the most popular works of the time. -
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The great Dickens
Dickens embarked on a full-time career as a novelist, producing work of increasing complexity at an incredible rate. -
A good buy
His popularity had allowed him to buy Gad's Hill Place, an estate he had admired since childhood -
Good times and bad times
Dickens began a series of paid readings, which became instantly popular. In that year, after a long period of difficulties, he separated from his wife -
Bad news.
He collapsed, showing symptoms of mild stroke. He retreated to Gad's Hill and began to work on Edwin Drood, which was never completed. -
The death of a great.
June 9, 1870 Charles Dickens died. Contrary to his wish to be buried in Rochester Cathedral, he was buried in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey.
