Charles Dickens

Charles  Dickens

Quick Facts

Author Name Charles John Huffam Dickens

Nationality British

Birth Date February 7, 1812

Death Date June 9, 1870

Place of Birth Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom

Place of Death Higham, Kent, United Kingdom

Charles John Huffam Dickens is a famous British novelist, journalist, editor, illustrator and social commentator.Dickens was born in England in 1812 and died in 1870.His notable works includes Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol,Nicholas Nickleby,David Copperfield,A Tale of Two Cities and Great expectations.Dickens is considered as one of the most important and influential writers of the 19th century.

Charles Dickens had a bitter childhood, but he was lucky enough to attend school.His father, John Dickens,worked as a clerk for the Navy.His mother's name was Elizabeth Barrow.Charles had seven brothers and sisters.Born in Portsmouth,Dickens left school to work in a factory at the age of 12,when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison.
He worked there for three years. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five Novellas hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles.

Here are some interesting facts about Charles Dickens. Dickens was keenly interested in the paranormal, and has even been linked to the famous paranormal investigation group “The Ghost Club” of London.The Dickens family had a pet raven  named Grip, which he had stuffed when it died in 1841. He was obsessive compulsive,reportedly always re-arranging his hotel furniture and having sleep with his head pointing towards north.In his study he had a secret door which was designed like a bookcase filled with fake books rumored to include titles like Noah’s Arkitecture and a nine-volume set titled Cat’s Lives.Dickens appeared on the British £10 note.

Charles Dickens died on 9th June 1870.He suffered a stroke after completing a full day’s work on his novel in progress,Edwin Drood.