Charles Dickens 1812-1870

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7 Feb 1812
Birth of Charles Dickens
1817
Charles Dickens enjoys a happy childhood in Chatham, England.
1822
Charles Dickens living and working in London
1824
Charles Dickens' father is sent to prison for debt; Charles is withdrawn from school to work in a factory
1832
Drawn to the theater, a young Charles Dickens nearly becomes a professional actor. Later in life, he will satisfy his passion for performing with hundreds of animated public readings of his own books.
1833
Charles Dickens begins to contribute stories and essays to magazines and newspapers.
1834
Charles Dickens is working as a journalist for the Liberal Benthamite Morning Chronicle, an experience that greatly affects his political outlook.
1836
The Pickwick Papers
1836
Dickens resigns from newspaper job to edit Bentley's Miscellany
1836
Charles Dickens writes two plays and a pamphlet arguing that the poor should be allowed to enjoy the Sabbath.
Apr 1836
Charles Dickens marries Catherine, the eldest daughter of a respected Scottish journalist George Hogarth.
1837
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
1838
Charles Dickens publishes Nicholas Nickleby in 20 serial installments.
1840
Charles Dickens publishes The Old Curiosity Shop in short weekly installments.
1841
Charles Dickens publishes Barnaby Rudge in short weekly installments.
1841
Charles Dickens vacations in America; is received as celebrity
1842
American Notes published by Charles Dickens.
1843
Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens
1843
While working on Martin Chuzzlewit, Charles Dickens writes A Christmas Carol on the side in just a few weeks. It is published the same year and becomes one of his most popular and beloved works.
1844
In the New Spirit of the Age, R.H. Horne describes Charles Dickens as "in private, very much what might be expected from his works.... His conversation is genial.... [He] has singular personal activity, and is fond of games of practical skill. He is als
1844
Charles Dickens travels in Italy.
1846
Charles Dickens publishes Dombey and Son in serialized form.
1846
Charles Dickens writes Dombey and Son.
1846
Charles Dickens is traveling in Switzerland and France.
1849
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
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