Charles Dickens | Brief Biography
Charles Dickens | Brief Biography
Charles Dickens (February 7, 1812 – June 9, 1870) was an English writer, considered to be one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. He was born in Portsmouth, England to John Dickens, a naval clerk, and Elizabeth Barrow.
Dickens’ childhood was marked by financial hardship and personal tragedy. His father was imprisoned for debt when Dickens was just twelve years old, and as a result, he was forced to leave school and work in a factory to support the family. This experience had a profound impact on the young Dickens and would later inform much of his writing, particularly his depictions of poverty and social injustice.
Despite his humble beginnings, Dickens worked hard to educate himself and eventually landed a job as a clerk in a law office. In his spare time, he began to write, contributing sketches and articles to various magazines and newspapers. In 1833, his first story, “A Dinner at Poplar Walk,” was published in the Monthly Magazine, and he soon became a popular and highly sought-after writer.
In 1836, Dickens married Catherine Hogarth, with whom he had ten children. The following year, he published his first novel, “The Pickwick Papers,” which was an immediate success. The book established Dickens as a popular writer and led to a string of successful novels, including “Oliver Twist” (1838), “Nicholas Nickleby” (1839), “The Old Curiosity Shop” (1841), and “Barnaby Rudge” (1841).
Throughout his career, Dickens was known for his vivid depictions of everyday life, his memorable characters, and his ability to shed light on social issues such as poverty, education, and the treatment of the mentally ill. He was also a master of suspense and used his writing to criticize the injustices of his time, including the poor working conditions in factories and the harsh treatment of prisoners.
In addition to his writing, Dickens was a passionate public speaker and gave numerous readings of his works to audiences both in England and abroad. He was also a philanthropist and was actively involved in social causes, including the abolition of slavery and the treatment of the poor.
Despite his success, Dickens’ personal life was marked by tragedy. In 1858, his wife Catherine separated from him, and the following year, he met the actress Ellen Ternan, with whom he began a secret affair. He continued to write until his death in 1870, at the age of 58, leaving behind a legacy of classic novels that continue to be widely read and loved today.
In conclusion, Charles Dickens was a towering figure in English literature, whose works continue to captivate and inspire readers around the world. His vivid storytelling, memorable characters, and powerful social commentary have earned him a lasting place in the pantheon of great writers, and his contributions to the literary world will never be forgotten. 0 0 0.
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book ‘Introduction to Men of Letters‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Biography by M. Menonimus:
- The World Writers-Brief Biographies
- Introduction to World Writers
- Introduction to World Personalities
- Love of Reputed Persons
- Brief Biographies of Prominent Bengali Writers
- Brief Biographies of Eminent Monarchs
- Brief Biographies of Ancient Thinkers and Writers
- Brief Biographies of Eminent Generals and Conquerors
- Biographies of Writers Around the World
- Introduction to Men of Letters ..
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works
- Reviews of Charles Dickens’ Works
- Reviews of John Milton’s Literary Works
- Reviews of Some Iconic Travelogues …
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