CharlesDickensDickens,CharlesJohnHuffam(1812-1870),Englishnovelistandoneofthemostpopularwritersinthehistoryofliterature
Inhisenormousbodyofworks,Dickenscombinedmasterlystorytelling,humor,pathos,andironywithsharpsocialcriticismandacuteobservationofpeopleandplaces,bothrealandimagined
DickenswasbornFebruary7,1812,inPortsmouthandspentmostofhischildhoodinLondonandKent,bothofwhichappearfrequentlyinhisnovels
Hestartedschoolattheageofnine,buthiseducationwasinterruptedwhenhisfather,anamiablebutcarelessminorcivilservant,wasimprisonedfordebtin1824
Theboywasthenforcedtosupporthimselfbyworkinginashoe-polishfactory
Aresultingsenseofhumiliationandabandonmenthauntedhimforlife,andhelaterdescribedthisexperience,onlyslightlyaltered,inhisnovelDavidCopperfield(1849-1850)
From1824to1826,Dickensagainattendedscho