Charles Dickens (February 7, 1812 – June 9, 1870) was a renowned English novelist, journalist, and social critic, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era. Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens experienced a challenging childhood marked by financial instability. At the age of 12, he was forced to leave school to work in a boot-blacking factory after his father was imprisoned for debt. This experience profoundly influenced his later writing, which often highlighted the struggles of the poor and working class.
Dickens began his literary career as a journalist and gained fame with the serialized publication of The Pickwick Papers in 1836. He went on to write 15 novels, including classics such as Oliver Twist (1838), A Christmas Carol (1843), David Copperfield (1850), Great Expectations (1861), and A Tale of Two Cities (1859). His works are characterized by memorable characters, intricate plots, and social commentary that addressed issues like poverty, child labor, and class disparity.
In addition to his novels, Dickens was an active social reformer who campaigned for children’s rights and education. He also engaged in public readings of his works, which became immensely popular. Dickens’s literary legacy endures today, as his stories continue to resonate with readers around the world, reflecting both the challenges of his time and universal themes of humanity.
