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Charles Dickens Born
Charles Dickens was born in Portsea, England during the Industrial Revolution. He was the second of eight children born to John and Elizabeth Dickens. His family were part of the lower middle working class. They were poor and suffered hardships which influenced his writings (Dickenson 538). -
The War of 1812
During the War of 1812, the United States and Great Britain fought about Great Britain trying to restrict trade with United States. The war ended on February 17, 1815 with the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent. After the war ended, there was more 'national pride' in the United States because they won against the stronger power of Great Britain (War of 1812). Dickens was born in the same year this war started. -
Working in a Factory
Charles Dickens had to drop out of school to help repay his father’s debt. He worked at the Warren's Blacking Warehouse and earned 6 shillings a week for labeling pots containing blacking substance. He learned about the hard conditions of working long hours in a factory for little pay in awful conditions (Charles Dickens Biography). -
Father, John Dickens sent to Debtors Prison
Charles Dickens' father John was arrested and sent to the Marshalsea Debtors Prison. He was arrested for not paying 40 pounds and 10 shillings to a baker. His father, mother and all his siblings except for Charles went to the debtors prison (Charles Dickens Biography). -
Back to School
Charles' father inherited some money and used it to get out of prison. Charles did not immediately stop working at the warehouse. Later, he resumed his education at Wellington House Academy in Camden Town (Haines 169). -
Law Work
Charles Dickens takes a job as a clerk in the law firm of Ellis and Blackmore. He takes the job to increase the family's income. He studied at night and learned to write in shorthand (Priestly 129). -
Freelance Reporter
After learning to write in shorthand, Charles Dickens began working as a freelance reporter for a society of civil lawyers. This society was known as the 'Doctors' Commons.' This was the start of his writing career (Charles Dickens Biography). -
Writing for Parliament
Dickens began working at the House of Commons of the United Kingdoms. He wrote for 'The Mirror of Parliament'. It was a journal that reported Parliamentary discussions (Priestly 129). In addition, he worked at the 'Morning Chronicle' writing news articles on election activities in Great Britain. This experience educated him on the Poor Laws and other laws being written to protect the working class (Charles Dickens Biography). -
The Great Reform Act of 1832
The Great Reform Act of 1832 expanded voting rights in Great Britain. When the reform act was passed, cities in the north that were industrialized and had a large population growth were more fairly represented. This is an example of a change that occurred in Great Britain because of the Industrial Revolution (Reform Bill). -
Published 'The Pickwick Papers'
Charles Dickens published his first book 'The Pickwick Papers.' It was first published in monthly installments until November 1837. It was a comic novel about the "injustice of the justice system." Dickens knew about the subject from his experiences working at a law firm as a clerk. It was very popular since it was more affordable. The first installment sold about 500 copies while the last installment sold about 40,000 copies (Charles Dickens Info). -
'Oliver Twist' and 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' Novels Published
Charles Dickens published two famous novels in 1837-1839. The novels were 'Oliver Twist' and 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby'. 'Oliver Twist' was the most known book out of the two because it was different since the hero was a young child. The book showed the hardships faced by poor children and the crimes that followed (Charles Dickens Biography). -
Queen Victoria Rules Great Britain
Queen Victoria was crowned Queen of England at the age of 18 and ruled for 64 years. During her rule, Great Britain became "a powerful industrial nation and boasted an empire that stretched across the globe." The years of her rule are called the 'Victorian Era.' It was a time of social and industrial change (Queen Victoria, the Longest Ruling Monarch of the United Kingdom). -
'A Christmas Carol' Published
Charles Dickens finishes writing and publishes his famous Christmas story, 'A Christmas Carol.' He financed the book himself and sold it for only 5 shillings to make it more affordable. It sold over six thousand copies and is still one of his most popular books (David Perdue's Charles Dickens Page - A Christmas Carol). It shows different issues of the time including greed and the hard life of the poor. The story is still popular today. -
Lockstitch Sewing Machine Invented
Elias Howe invented the Lockstitch sewing machine in Cambridge, MA in the United States. Clothing started to be made in factories instead of at home. This was just one invention that was part of the Industrial Revolution in the United States (Elias Howe). -
Helped Establish the Urania Cottage
Charles Dickens helps establish and run the Urania Cottage, a 'Home for Homeless Women.' In May of 1847, Dickens located a house in Lime Grove that would become Urania Cottage. The home is for prostitutes and abused women to live in and help them better themselves. This is like today’s shelters that help homeless or abused women, and it shows how Dickens was a social activist (Charles Dickens: Impact on Medicine and Society). -
Helped Support the Great Ormond Street Pediatric Hospital
Dickens played a role in helping preserve the British Empire's first pediatric hospital on Great Ormond Street. He wrote an article about the hospital when it opened and of its importance in his magazine 'Household Words'. In addition, he had readings of 'A Christmas Carol' to raised money for the hospital (Charles Dickens: Impact on Medicine and Society). This shows his social activism and concern with improving the lives of the many sick children in the Victorian Era. -
First Process to Manufacture Steel Inexpensively Developed
Sir Henry Bessemer, an engineer and inventor, created the first process to manufacture steel inexpensively. This allowed mass producing steel for the first time. Steel was used in everything from appliances to tools and machines as well as ships and buildings (Industrial Revolution). This was important invention during the Industrial Revolution. -
Inspiration for the Lord Mayor Treloar Cripple's Hospital and College
At one of his public readings, Dickens inspired William Treloar, who later became Lord Mayor of London, to help cripple children. The story of Tiny Tim from 'A Christmas Carol' was what sparked William Treloar to work on establishing the Lord Mayor Treloar Cripple's Hospital and College in 1908. This institution still exists today, and shows how Dickens was influential as a social reformer and critic (Charles Dickens: Impact on Medicine and Society). -
American Civil War
The American Civil War was about the conflict over the federal governments control over slavery in different states. It started in 1861 and lasted until 1865 (American Civil War). Charles Dickens in 1842 went to the United States and criticized slavery in his work, 'American Notes' (Dickenson 540). He was a social critic and wrote about issues as he saw them at home or in another country. Previously, in 'The Pickwick Papers', he criticized slavery in England (Charles Dickens Biography). -
Charles Dickens Dies
Charles Dickens had a stroke at the age of 58 on June 8th, 1870 and died the following day (Priestley 131). His death was a day of national mourning, and his grave tomb stated that "one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." He was cremated and buried in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey (Charles Dickens Biography).
