25 interesting facts about Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens is one of the most popular and renowned authors in English literature. He is widely known for his captivating stories, unforgettable characters, and vivid descriptions of life in Victorian England. In this article, we will explore some interesting and lesser-known facts about the life and works of Charles Dickens.

1. Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England.
2. He was the second of eight children.
3. Dickens’ father was sent to debtor’s prison when he was a child, and young Charles was forced to leave school and work in a factory.
4. Dickens’ experiences working in a factory as a child inspired his later works such as “Oliver Twist” and “Hard Times”.
5. In 1836, Dickens married Catherine Hogarth, and they had ten children together.
6. Dickens was a prolific writer, and he wrote 15 novels, 5 novellas, hundreds of short stories, and non-fiction articles throughout his career.
7. One of Dickens’ most famous novels, “A Tale of Two Cities”, has sold over 200 million copies worldwide.
8. Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist” was originally published in monthly instalments, and it became so popular that people would line up at bookstores to get the latest issue.
9. Dickens’ works often addressed social issues such as poverty, inequality, and child labour, and they were instrumental in bringing about social reform.
10. Dickens was a philanthropist and supported several charitable causes throughout his life.
11. Dickens’ pet raven, Grip, inspired his character, “Grip”, in his novel “Barnaby Rudge”.
12. Dickens was also a performer and gave public readings of his works throughout his career.
13. Dickens was interested in the paranormal and even claimed to have had a ghostly encounter in his home.
14. Dickens’ novel “Great Expectations” was initially published in weekly instalments in a magazine.
15. Dickens’ final novel, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”, was left unfinished due to his death.
16. Dickens was a contemporary of several other famous writers such as William Makepeace Thackeray, Charlotte Bronte, and George Eliot.
17. Dickens was a fan of the theatre and even wrote several plays himself.
18. Dickens was an avid traveller and visited many countries including the United States, Italy, and Switzerland.
19. Dickens suffered from depression and wrote about his struggles with mental health in his novel “David Copperfield”.
20. Dickens was an advocate for education and believed that everyone should have access to it.
21. Dickens’ works have been adapted into countless films, television shows, and stage productions.
22. Dickens was interested in the supernatural and included elements of it in several of his works, such as “A Christmas Carol”.
23. Dickens’ grave in Westminster Abbey has the inscription “To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England’s most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England’s greatest writers is lost to the world”.
24. Dickens’ works continue to be read and studied around the world, and he is considered one of the most important figures in English literature.
25. Dickens’ legacy continues today, and there are several museums, libraries, and other institutions dedicated to preserving his works and legacy.

Charles Dickens was a literary giant who left an indelible mark on English literature. His works continue to captivate readers around the world, and his legacy as a philanthropist and advocate for social justice lives on.

Charles Dickens is one of the most popular and renowned authors in English literature. He is widely known for his captivating stories, unforgettable characters, and vivid descriptions of life in Victorian England. In this article, we will explore some interesting and lesser-known facts about the life and works of Charles…