The Life of Charles Dickens (BBC)

Summary

Charles Dickens, born in 1812, overcame a challenging childhood marked by poverty and hardship, including working in a blacking factory at age 12. Despite early struggles, he rose to fame as a novelist, journalist, and social reformer. Dickens' life was filled with intense writing, personal turmoil, and public acclaim, including his time in America and Italy. His personal life was complicated by a troubled marriage and a rumored affair with actress Ellen Ternan. Dickens died in 1870 after a stroke, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest English writers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, to John and Elizabeth Dickens. He was the second of eight children, six of whom survived to adulthood.
• 😀 Due to his father's financial mismanagement, Dickens had to start working at a blacking factory at the age of 12, labeling bottles for 11 hours a day.
• 😀 Dickens's early life included hardship, as his father was imprisoned for debt, and young Charles visited him weekly in prison.
• 😀 Dickens's career began as a solicitor's clerk, where he observed people and began collecting material for his later writing.
• 😀 He started his journalistic career in 1831, writing for a paper by day while working on his own writing by night.
• 😀 In 1835, Dickens's first piece of fiction was published, and he soon married Catherine Hogarth. Their life was filled with writing and raising many children.
• 😀 Dickens faced rumors about his personal life, including allegations of drunkenness and admission to an asylum, due to his eccentric writing and lifestyle.
• 😀 In 1842, Dickens and his wife Catherine visited America, where they were mobbed by crowds. His travels inspired his writing.
• 😀 After returning to England, Dickens became involved in social causes, including founding a refuge for homeless women and editing a radical newspaper.
• 😀 At the age of 44, Dickens bought Gad's Hill, the house his father had once pointed out to him, symbolizing his success and achievement.
• 😀 A tragic train crash in 1865, in which Dickens helped administer aid, deeply affected him, leading to a decline in his health and a failure in his marriage to Catherine.
• 😀 Dickens passed away on June 9, 1870, at the age of 58 after suffering a stroke. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Q & A

When and where was Charles Dickens born?

Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, to John and Elizabeth Dickens.

How many siblings did Charles Dickens have, and how many survived to adulthood?

Charles Dickens had eight siblings, of which six survived to adulthood.

What was the financial situation of Charles Dickens' family during his childhood?

Charles Dickens' family faced financial difficulties, as his father, John, was a naval clerk who often lived beyond his means, leading to financial instability.

What was Charles Dickens' first job, and how old was he when he started working?

At the age of 12, Charles Dickens began working in a blacking factory, labeling bottles for 11 hours a day.

What significant event happened to Charles Dickens' father, and how did it affect Dickens?

Charles Dickens' father was sent to debtor's prison, and Charles visited him there every Sunday, which had a profound impact on his views and later work.

What did Charles Dickens do in 1827, and how did it shape his future career?

In 1827, Charles Dickens began working as a solicitor's clerk, which exposed him to a variety of people and inspired him to start collecting names and characteristics that influenced his writing.

How did Charles Dickens start his writing career?

Charles Dickens began his writing career in 1831, working as a journalist. His first piece of fiction was published in 1835.

What were some rumors about Charles Dickens' personal life as his fame grew?

Rumors about Charles Dickens' personal life included claims of drunkenness and an admission to an asylum, fueled by his eccentric persona and the extreme characters in his writing.

What inspired Charles Dickens' travels to America and Italy, and how did they influence his work?

Charles Dickens was fascinated by the unusual and visited America in 1842, where he was mobbed by crowds. He later traveled to Italy in 1844, which inspired many of his works, including reflections on society and culture.

What personal relationship caused tension in Charles Dickens' marriage?

Charles Dickens became enamored with a young actress named Ellen Ternan, which is believed to have contributed to the end of his marriage to Catherine Dickens.

What tragic event happened to Charles Dickens in 1865, and how did it affect him?

In 1865, Charles Dickens and Ellen Ternan were involved in a train crash near Staplehurst. Dickens was deeply shaken by the event but bravely assisted the injured. The incident had a lasting effect on his health.

What caused Charles Dickens' death, and where is he buried?

Charles Dickens died on June 9, 1870, from a stroke at the age of 58. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.