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Date of Birth
Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 in Portsmouth, United Kingdom. He was the second born into a family that would eventually total 8 children. The parents of the family were John and Elizabeth Dickens. The family was considered part of the middle class. John Dickens' profession was a municipal clerk, while Elizabeth stayed home and took care of the kids. (Rocke 9) -
Alabama becomes a U.S. state
Alabama became the 22nd state of the U.S. Alabama's early economy was based off slave labor and was a part of the American Civil War. It was also the home of the American Civil Rights movement. When the Mississippi territory was given to the state of Mississippi, the remainder was given to the Alabama territory. (history.com) -
Warrens Blacking Factory
At 12 years old, Dickens went to work at Warrens Blacking Factory. During this time, Charles' father was sent to prison for being unable to pay debt. Since John wasn't able to provide for the family, Charles decided to help. He made about 6 shillings a week, working 10 hours a day. Ultimately, Charles left the factory after his father had a disagreement with the owners. Although it was a miserable experience, it is said that these events impacted Charles literature later in life. (Rogers) -
Charles Sauria develops method of making matches easier to ignite
When matches were first invented, they were very hard to ignite and would often flicker. They were even dangerous, because they could explode. There were even warning labels on the packaging saying they could cause lung damage. In 1831, Sauria used phosphorus to create a new type of match. These matches were much safer and igniting them was easier. They quickly became popular and replaced the old world of matches. (britannica.com). -
Engagement
Charles Dickens and Catherine Hogarth first met in 1834, got engaged in 1835, and then married in 1836. They met each other while they were both working for the Morning Chronicle. At first, their marriage was very happy and cheerful. So happy, they had their first of 10 children in 1837. As their marriage progressed, they became unhappy and rash towards each other. Eventually they couldn't handle it, and became divorced after about 20 years of marriage. (Mackenzie) -
The Pickwick Papers
The Pickwick Papers were Dickens first form of public writing. However, it wasn't completely public because he wrote them under the name Boz. The papers were a comical series of books with serious events tied into it. Dickens incorporated the justice and injustice systems. The first publication of the papers was on March 30, 1836. Only 500 copies were first sold, but his books soon became popular. His last installment sold about 40,000 copies. His first book was a success. (Perry)(Collins) -
Adolphe sax invents the saxophone
Adolphe Sax was born November 6, 1814. His father was very fond of music so Adolphe grew up listening and studying music. He first revealed his creation in 1841 to the composer Hector Berlioz. The composer loved it and from then on his invention spread across the world. Sax greatly influenced the musical world today. Even after his death, saxophones are still being used by many all around the world and are always undergoing changes. (thoughtco.com) -
A Christmas Carol
In 1843, Charles Dickens released one of the world's most popular pieces of literature. Believe it or not, Dickens wrote the novel in only about two months. He wrote it based upon past experiences. When published, it was extremely popular and sold rapidly. Dickens' writing even helped expand Christmas in England. In the 1830s very few people celebrated Christmas as we do today. However, when people first read the book, they began to realize the importance of Christmas and family. (McMurtry) -
First double decker bus
The first double decker buses were pulled around by horses, because we had not discovered a use of an engine yet. The buses allowed more people to be transported around at a time. The first was invented in London, and can still be seen and used today in London. Taking the bus was also cheaper than other types of transportation, like trains. While traveling, it allowed people to also be outside and take in the environment around them. (double decker buses). -
Frozen Deep and Gad's Hill Place
In 1856, Dickens put on a play based off the book Frozen Deep, by Wilkie Collins. The central conflict in the book was a love triangle. The play that was based off the book was said to make "the crying of 2,000 people". Another significant event that occured in this year was Dickens' moving into Gad's Hill Place. Gad's Hill Place would be the location where Charles will spend the rest of his life, and eventually his place of death. (charlesdickensinfo.com). -
Tale of Two Cities
Another one of Dickens' most popular books, A Tale of two Cities, was published in 1859. The novel covers themes such as resurrection and revolution. His book was written to comment about human nature during the French Revolution. Like A Christmas Carol, his book became very popular very fast. This is considered one of his most important stories, and is still read all around the world today. The novel teaches readers to really examine their lives. (Haines) -
Charles Blondin crosses Niagara Falls on Tightrope
Charles Blondin is considered to be the most famous tightrope walker of all time. As a child, he saw a performer walking a tightrope and he knew he wanted to learn how to do that. His first attemp to walk across the falls was a huge success. He would walk across them a total of 17 times in his career, each time becoming more dangerous. Blondin they began to perform all around the world. Never once in his career did he fail, and he died peacefully in his bed at 75. (Charles Blondin Biography). -
Abraham Lincoln elected president of U.S.
In 1860, Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States. He was also the first Republican elected. Today, we admire Lincoln as one our of greatest presidents. His major accomplishment was putting an end to slavery in the southern states. During his presidency, the American Civil War occured. Just 5 days after the northern states had one the war, Lincoln was associated by John Wilkes Booth. (history.com). -
Death of Mother and Our Mutual Friend
In 1863, Charles biggest supporter he ever had, passed away. His mother died on September 13, 1863 to a series of brain diseases. In November of 1863, Dickens began to work on his new book called Our Mutual Friend. The theme of this book focused on wealth, and how it can effect your life. This book was the 14th and last complete novel Dickens would write. The book ended on a cliffhanger, but Dickens passed away before he could reveal what the ending was in the sequel. (charlesdickensinfo.com) -
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
At this time, Dickens was ill and was growing increasingly weaker. He has told by doctors to stop writing. However, he did not. He began to write the book, The Mystery of Edwin Drood in 1869. The book was supposed to explain the ending for his previous book, Our Mutual Friends. However, he had only finished writing half of the book before he passed away. The day before his death, June 8, 1870, he spent the day writing. That night at dinner he collapsed. (charlesdickensinfo.com). -
Date of Death
Charles Dickens, one of the most remembered and apprieciated writers to live, passed away June 9, 1870. The night before, he collapsed at dinner after writing all day. The following day, he passed away in Gad's Hill Place, in the United Kingdom. He was 58 years old when he died, from what is said to have been a stroke. His final book, the Mystery of Edwin Drood was left unfinished when he died. (Encyclopedia of work biography).
