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| Charles Dickens was
born in Portsea in Hampshire, England. He did not have a happy childhood. His father
was a clerk who loved his family but often owed money. At the age of twelve
Charles was sent to work in a factory, and had to work twelve hours a day.
When his father
was sent to prison for debt, the whole family had to live in the prison for a time.
This unhappy experience left a strong impression on Charles. Later he worked
in a lawyer’s office, and then as a journalist.
Dickens’ writing
was published in monthly instalments in magazines, and soon became extremely
popular.
He produced a
large number of novels and short stories, and he travelled round Britain and the United States, giving readings of his works. He was highly successful and well paid, but overwork contributed to his early death. Dickens is one of the best-known English novelists. His books have probably been read by more people than any other English works of fiction, and they are still widely read today. He was a strong critic of the social injustice of Victorian England, publicizing issues such as child labour, poor working conditions and poverty, all of which he experienced in his childhood. He is best known for the great variety of characters in his writing and for the humour and sympathy with which he describes them and their lives. Well-known works by Charles Dickens include: The Pickivick Papers (1837), Oliver Twist (1838), Nicholas Nickleby (1839), The Old Curiosity Shop (1841), A Christmas Carol (1843), David Coppeifield (1850), Bleak House (1853), A Tale of Two Cities (1859), Great Expectations (1861). previous main page |
