A Biography of Dickens' Life
Charles Dickens, born on February 7, 1812 in Portsea, England and became on of the most famous and loved of the English novelists during the Victorian era and posthumously, is one of the most popular of all time. He spent much of his youth moving around with his family. He lived his boyhood in the comfort of a middle class world, but considered himself to be "a very small and not-over taken-care-of boy”.” His father was imprisoned for reckless spending. Fortunately, young Dickens had begun working ten-hour days at a warehouse just before his father’s arrest, so he was not left without an income. The money from this paid for his lodgings and helped support his family.

The cruel working conditions that Dickens faced would leave a great impact on his life and later writings. This experience provided the reason for his championing the labor and economic conditions of the poor. He began expressing his distaste and disdain of the plight of the working middle class and it served to be the basis for many of his novels. Dickens first story was published in 1833, a Dinner at Poplar Walk. After which he became a political journalist. He would go on to publish Oliver Twist in 1839, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop and Branaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of the Eighties.

During his middle years he produced works such as A Tale of Two Cities in 1859 and Great Expectations in 1861. He continued his work as a journalist during this time His last years, his characteristic of being a most prolific writer began to disappear. He would finish his manuscript, Our Mutual Friend, and then after a long time started back working on The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Dickens’ passed away on June 9, 1870 after suffering a stroke, although Dickens requested no memorial be erected, a life-size bronze of Dickens was rendered and is locate in Philadelphia, PA.

Biographical Links

• A Biography: A biographical time line of Dickens’ life and work.

• Charles Dickens: A biography of his boyhood, popularity, life transitions and much more.

A Discussion of Dickens' Impact on Literature
Dickens' writing style and his subject choices have continued to influence the literary world, as well as the life of all readers of from all walks of life, in England and abroad. He was respected in life as a popular novelist and has continued to influence life even to this day. His legacy of prolific novels and story contribution to over 180 motion pictures and television adaptation show he is still considered one of the greatest novelist of all time.

• The Dickens Project: Devoted to promoting the enjoyment and study of the life and times of Dickens’ and his works.

• The Charles Dickens Page: A complete list of his major works with dates and some descriptions.

• Charles Dickens in the Marketplace: Introduction of Dickens, collecting and studying his works and an audio slideshow.

A Listing of Dickens’ most influential works
His most best-known works were: Great Expectations (1860-61 ); David Copperfield ( 1849-50); Oliver Twist( 1837-38 ); A Tale of Two Cities( 1859); Bleak House ( 1852-53); Nicholas Nickleby( 1838-39 ); The Pickwick Papers (1867); and A Christmas Carol ( 1843). He is famous for many more of his journalist works and papers, but the works above were the most loved.

• A Tale of Two Cities: The full text of his masterpiece. It is a story about the French Revolution.

• The Elusive Humor in Charles Dickens’ Works: Discusses Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol

• Critic of the United States: Observations as Dickens being a critic of the U.S. through his work American Notes.

Autobiographical Elements in Great Expectations
Dickens’ character 'Pip', in his seemingly autobiographical work Great Expectations, had a hard childhood; it was neither a prosperous nor happy one. Dickens rose above the discrimination of the Victorian caste system and became a renowned and respected author, 'Pip' was able overcome his own problems with the caste system as well, but only through the help of a generous benefactor. The story seems to parallel Dickens’ own life as a tale of self-understanding, charity and hardship.

• Great Expectations: Offers most everything you could ever want to possible know or learn about Dickens’ famous work.

• Dickens’ Great Expectations: Read the full work online; download MP3s and printable pages for study support material.

Dickens championed for the less fortunate of society, and his disdain for the aristocrats still speaks to readers today. He took his passion for these societal injustices and made it his life’s work to contemplate and share his feeling with those who would listen, and many have.