He was among the most important writers of the Victorian Age. Charles Dickens, known for his novel A Tale of Two Cities, is one of the leading literary figures of English and world literature.
Born in England on February 7, 1812, he is widely regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, as well as creating some of the most memorable fictional characters.
During his lifetime, his work enjoyed an unprecedented reputation, and in the twentieth century, his literary genius was recognized by critics and stakeholders. His novels and short stories continue to be read around the world.
Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens dropped out of school to work in a factory after his father was imprisoned for debts. Although he did not receive a proper education, his early impoverishment helped him on his way to success.
During his career, he ran a weekly newspaper for 20 years, published 15 novels, 5 long stories, hundreds of short stories, and non-fiction articles, working tirelessly and fighting for innovations in children's rights, education, and other social issues.
First novel: The Pickwick Papers
He rose to fame with his novel The Pickwick Papers, published in 1836. Within a few years, he became an internationally known literary scholar, famous for his humorous, satirical, and sharp observations on personality and society.
The publication of his novels, mostly in the form of weekly or monthly publications, pioneered serials, the most common form of publication in the Victorian era.
The serialized works gave Dickens an opportunity to evaluate the reader's reaction well, and he often shaped the plots and the development of the characters according to the comments he received.
For example, he developed good qualities of character after his wife's pedicurist remarked in David Copperfield that Mrs. Mowcher's flaws were too prominent.
Wrote contemporary-themed stories
Apparently, Fagin in Oliver Twist was inspired by notorious criminal Ikey Solomon. He developed the character of Mr. Skimpole in Bleak House, which he created inspired by Leigh Hunt, with the advice of his friends who followed the chapters of the book.
Lawrence Boythorne and churchman Mooney in the same novel took real-life examples.
He was inspired by Walter Savage Landor for Boythorne and by Looney, a churchman in Salisbury Square for Mooney. He crafted his subjects carefully and often sprinkled elements from current events in his stories.
The most important writer of his age
Dickens is regarded as one of the most important literary figures of his age. His 1843 novel A Christmas Carol is one of the most influential works ever written. It has always remained popular and still continues to be adapted in every art style.
His creative genius has been praised by writers from Leo Tolstoy to G. K. Chesterton and George Orwell for his realism, humor, writing style, unique characters, and social criticism. However, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing style, and emotional temperament.
The famous novelist died on June 9, 1870.