|
 Charles
Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 in Portsmouth. His parents were
John and Elizabeth Dickens. Charles was the second of their eight
children. In 1824 Charles father, John Dickens is arrested and sent
to the Marshalsea prison for failure to pay a debt.
At a very young age, despite his family's financial situation,
Charles dreamed of becoming a gentleman. However when he was 12 it
looked like his dreams would never come true. Charles was sent to
work in a shoe polish factory. While employed there he met Bob
Fagin, Charles later used the name in Oliver Twist. Charles was
deeply marked by these experiences. Luckily the situation improved
within a year. Charles was released from his duties at the factory
and his father was released from jail.
< Dickens's birthplace at No.1
Mile End Terrace, Landport, a district on the outskirts of
Portsmouth.
 <
Lant Street, London.
While his father was in the Marshalsea debtor's prison, a back attic
was found for Dickens at the house shown here.
Dickens begins work on A Christmas Carol in October of 1843. It is
published during the holiday season of that year. Dickens began
writing his "Little Carol" in October, 1843 finishing it by the end
of November in time to be published for Christmas with illustrations
by John Leech. The book sold 6,000 copies in the first few days of
its release.
Christmas Carol
I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an
Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each
other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no
one wish to lay it.
Their faithful Friend and Servant, C.D.
December, 1843.
Other titles by this author, A Christmas Carol
Great Expectations,
Tale of Two Cities,
The Chimes,
The Cricket on the Hearth
Source
Additional Christmas Pictures (c) www.medievaltravel.co.uk |
