Charles Dickens Novelist

Gender: Male
Citizenship: United Kingdom
Born: Feb 7, 1812
Died: Jun 9, 1870

Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's most well-known fictional characters and is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period. During his life, his works enjoyed unprecedented popularity, and by the twentieth century he was widely seen as a literary genius by critics and scholars. His novels and short stories continue to be widely popular.

Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens was forced to leave school to work in a factory when his father was thrown into debtors' prison. Although he had little formal education, his early impoverishment drove him to succeed. Over his career he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas and hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens sprang to fame with the 1836 serial publication of The Pickwick Papers. Within a few years he had become an international literary celebrity, famous for his humour, satire, and keen observation of character and society.

It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations. great, men & truth

Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism, are all very good words for the lips. good

There is nothing so strong or safe in an emergency of life as the simple truth. truth

Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true. communication

That sort of half sigh, which, accompanied by two or three slight nods of the head, is pity's small change in general society. change & society

To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart. nature

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. best

The men who learn endurance, are they who call the whole world, brother. men

There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts. best

The age of chivalry is past. Bores have succeeded to dragons. age

The one great principle of English law is to make business for itself. business & great

Fan the sinking flame of hilarity with the wing of friendship and pass the rosy wine. friendship

Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration. home

The civility which money will purchase, is rarely extended to those who have none. money

There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast. strength

The first rule of business is: Do other men for they would do you. business & men

Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. men

A boy's story is the best that is ever told. best

Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door. home

A loving heart is the truest wisdom. love & wisdom

There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart. wisdom

Subdue your appetites, my dears, and you've conquered human nature. nature

Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. There ain't much credit in that. good

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Christmas

Great men are seldom over-scrupulous in the arrangement of their attire. great & men

If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers. good