This Charles Dickens biography is not just about the writer’s life. It covers his career as a writer, his relationship with Ellen Ternan, and the legal troubles he faced with Thomas Powell. It’s a fascinating look at a man whose work influenced generations of readers.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens’s biography is about the writer and social critic. His stories and fictional characters have become iconic, and many consider him the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works include A Tale of Two Cities, Bleak House, and A Christmas Carol. His stories also contained many social criticisms and commentary, making him an important figure in English literature.
Dickens began his life as a factory worker when he was just a child. His father was incarcerated in the Marshalsea debtors prison, and his mother remained at home to care for the family. When he was twelve, Dickens lost his father to overburdened creditors and was forced to work in a shoe-polish warehouse. This experience changed his life and led him to become the most influential voice of the working class of his day.
His career as a writer
Charles Dickens’s career as a writer was not a straightforward one. He began as a reporter in the law courts in London. After a few years, he moved to New York and began freelance writing for various newspapers. Dickens’ first book, Sketches by Boz, was published in 1833. His other works include The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, published in 1836.
Dickens wrote several short stories and was the editor of two periodicals. He was influenced by the adventurous novel tradition, which revolves around a central character. He also borrowed descriptive techniques from writers like Walter Scott.
His relationship with Ellen Ternan
Ellen Ternan was a friend of Charles Dickens, and the two had a passionate relationship. Their relationship began in 1857 and lasted until he died in 1870. Dickens was very fond of Ellen, and she was interested in his writing. However, despite their close relationship, there are a few ambiguities about their relationship.
Although Dickens never publicly addressed his relationship with Ellen Ternan, his daughter remembers her grandmother as a warm, kind, and lovely woman. Georgina Dickens defended Dickens publicly but never addressed the nature of the relationship with Ellen Ternan.
His legal problems with Thomas Powell
Charles Dickens had legal problems with his friend Thomas Powell, an embezzler and forger. Powell had entertained Dickens and other notable writers at his home and was noted for forging signatures and cheques. Dickens and other writers repudiated Powell, and he fled to New York in 1849 to avoid prosecution. Dickens tried to expose Powell as a criminal publicly, but Powell accused Dickens of slander. They later settled the matter out of court.
Dickens was particularly critical of the legal system. He had spent time as a junior clerk at a law office during the time of the Marshalsea and saw first-hand the dark side of the legal system. His father had spent time in Marshalsea for debt, and his family had to settle the matter at the Court of Chancery. The court process was complex, and a simple dispute could drag on for decades.
His relationship with Catherine Hogarth
The story of Charles Dickens’s relationship with Catherine Hogarth is a tragic one. The two met in 1835 at a birthday party for Dickens’ boss. Although they did not have a close relationship, the two did have some things in common. Both wanted to be good mothers and have strong families. Dickens’ dream was to marry a woman who would be a good mother and housewife.
Although the relationship did not last, Charles Dickens did retain custody of his children. Moreover, he and Catherine reached an agreement on financial and legal matters. Catherine Hogarth continued to attend the theater, but she did not enjoy the same status and fame as her husband. Despite the separation, the couple remained friends. Their children did not see their father for two decades.
