Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was an astounding author and titan of English literature throughout the Victorian era. Dickens was remarkably known for his early years, his career, and his life tragedies. During his career Dickens achieved worldwide popularity, winning acclaim for his rich storytelling and memorable characters. Dickens will forever be remembered as a literary genius who changed the world with his vivid novels and his superb stories.

Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in the Mile End Terrace in Portsmouth England (Sahlman 1). His father, John, was a clerk in the navy pay office and was stationed in Portsmouth, at the time being. John was a very friendly, good natured, well read man, and a loving husband. (Levine 152). In 1809, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Barrow, and she bore him a family of eight children, Charles being the second. Elizabeth was a very carefree and easy going mother. John and Elizabeth were good hearted and loving parents, but lacked much insight regarding the future of their children. (Collins 187). John’s overwhelming addiction to gambling resulted in the loss of household income and left his family in poverty (Merriman 1). In 1824 he was arrested for debt, and imprisoned at the Marshalsea Prison (Haines 6).

Throughout his childhood, Dickens was always stable and happy (Merriman 1). He attended Giles Academy in Chatham for about one year. Later, he attended the Wellington House Academy in London. He enjoyed reading in his spare time and was heavily influenced by English writers such as William Shakespeare and Henry Fielding. (Yancy 43).

From a young age, Dickens would often find odd jobs, selling chairs and tables to help support his family. After attending...

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