Charles Dickens: Difference between revisions
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In 1836, Dickens married Catherine Hogarth, the daughter of the editor of the ''Evening Chronicle''. He made John Forster's acquaintance in the same year. Forster became his literary adviser and future biographer. | In 1836, Dickens married Catherine Hogarth, the daughter of the editor of the ''Evening Chronicle''. He made John Forster's acquaintance in the same year. Forster became his literary adviser and future biographer. | ||
Dickens began to publish sketches in different periodicals. In | Dickens began to publish sketches in different periodicals. In 1836, he started publishing the ''Pickwick Papers''. Dickens used serial publishing for all of his novels, which made him so successful. Further publications during the next years were, for example, ''Oliver Twist'' (1837), ''Nicolas Nickleby'' (1838), ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' (1840) and ''Barnaby Rudge'' (1841). | ||
Then, Dickens set off to America. He was enthused about the audience he expected, but as there was not any favourable reception, Dickens got back home disillusioned. He wrote down his experiences in ''American Notes'' (1842). | Then, Dickens set off to America. He was enthused about the audience he expected, but as there was not any favourable reception, Dickens got back home disillusioned. He wrote down his experiences in ''American Notes'' (1842). | ||
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Between 1844 and 1846 Dickens travelled abroad again. | Between 1844 and 1846 Dickens travelled abroad again. | ||
Further publications were ''Dombey and Son'' ( | Further publications were ''Dombey and Son'' (1846), ''David Copperfield'' (1849), ''Bleak House'' (1852) and ''Little Dorrit'' (1855). All of them deal with more serious themes and are more carefully planned. Furthermore, Dickens' social criticism becomes even more radical. | ||
In 1847, Dickens returned to London. At this point of his life he did not only write, but also act on stage. Dickens started the weekly periodical ''Household Words'' in 1850, which was succeeded by ''All Year Round'' (1859). In those periodicals Dickens published novels like ''Hard Times'' (1854), ''A Tale of Two Cities'' (1859) and ''Great Expectations'' ( | In 1847, Dickens returned to London. At this point of his life he did not only write, but also act on stage. Dickens started the weekly periodical ''Household Words'' in 1850, which was succeeded by ''All Year Round'' (1859). In those periodicals Dickens published novels like ''[[Hard Times]]'' (1854), ''A Tale of Two Cities'' (1859) and ''Great Expectations'' (1860) in serialised versions. | ||
Throughout Dickens began to read his works in public. He had to stop with his public readings, when he became seriously ill during the 1860s. Dickens separated from his wife in 1859, because he found his new love Ellen Ternan. In 1860 he moved with his whole family to Glad's Hill, Rochester. | Throughout Dickens began to read his works in public. He had to stop with his public readings, when he became seriously ill during the 1860s. Dickens separated from his wife in 1859, because he found his new love Ellen Ternan. In 1860 he moved with his whole family to Glad's Hill, Rochester. | ||
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In 1867 Dickens travelled to America again to do public readings. | In 1867 Dickens travelled to America again to do public readings. | ||
Charles Dickens died on 9 June 1870, at the age of 58. He was buried in the Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey | Charles Dickens died on 9 June 1870, at the age of 58. He was buried in the Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. | ||
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Perdue, David. Charles Dickens Page. 23 Oct. 2010 <http://charlesdickenspage.com/>. | Perdue, David. Charles Dickens Page. 23 Oct. 2010 <http://charlesdickenspage.com/>. | ||
Slater, Michael. "Introduction and Notes", in: Dickens, Charles. ''A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings''. London: Penguin Group, 2003 | Slater, Michael. "Introduction and Notes", in: Dickens, Charles. ''A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings''. London: Penguin Group, 2003, vii-xv. | ||
Latest revision as of 18:51, 27 October 2020
1812-1870. British author famous for his novels.
Childhood
Charles John Huffam Dickens was born in Portsmouth, on 7 February 1812. He was the second of eight children. The whole family had spent five years living in Chatham, where Dickens had gone to the local school, until they returned to London. There, Dickens attended Wellington House Academy. His father worked as a government clerk for the Navy Pay Office. He was imprisoned for debt. During this time Dickens had to work in a blacking warehouse labelling bottles. He was only 12 years old. He taught himself shorthand, which made Dickens a good choice for a reporter of parliamentary debates for the Morning Chronicle.
His Life, Works and Travelling
In 1836, Dickens married Catherine Hogarth, the daughter of the editor of the Evening Chronicle. He made John Forster's acquaintance in the same year. Forster became his literary adviser and future biographer.
Dickens began to publish sketches in different periodicals. In 1836, he started publishing the Pickwick Papers. Dickens used serial publishing for all of his novels, which made him so successful. Further publications during the next years were, for example, Oliver Twist (1837), Nicolas Nickleby (1838), The Old Curiosity Shop (1840) and Barnaby Rudge (1841).
Then, Dickens set off to America. He was enthused about the audience he expected, but as there was not any favourable reception, Dickens got back home disillusioned. He wrote down his experiences in American Notes (1842).
His Christmas Books achieved huge popularity. Especially the first one, A Christmas Carol (1842). Dickens is very much associated with the festival of Christmas, and deeply inscribed in the popular culture of the English-speaking world.
Between 1844 and 1846 Dickens travelled abroad again.
Further publications were Dombey and Son (1846), David Copperfield (1849), Bleak House (1852) and Little Dorrit (1855). All of them deal with more serious themes and are more carefully planned. Furthermore, Dickens' social criticism becomes even more radical.
In 1847, Dickens returned to London. At this point of his life he did not only write, but also act on stage. Dickens started the weekly periodical Household Words in 1850, which was succeeded by All Year Round (1859). In those periodicals Dickens published novels like Hard Times (1854), A Tale of Two Cities (1859) and Great Expectations (1860) in serialised versions.
Throughout Dickens began to read his works in public. He had to stop with his public readings, when he became seriously ill during the 1860s. Dickens separated from his wife in 1859, because he found his new love Ellen Ternan. In 1860 he moved with his whole family to Glad's Hill, Rochester.
Our Mutual Friend, which was published between 1864 and 1865, retained some of his best comedy. His last novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood was never completed.
In 1867 Dickens travelled to America again to do public readings.
Charles Dickens died on 9 June 1870, at the age of 58. He was buried in the Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey.
Sources
Perdue, David. Charles Dickens Page. 23 Oct. 2010 <http://charlesdickenspage.com/>.
Slater, Michael. "Introduction and Notes", in: Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings. London: Penguin Group, 2003, vii-xv.