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The birth of Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was born in a land port near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on February 7th, 1812. He was born to John Dickens, and Elizabeth Dickens. He was the second of eight children, his sister being the eldest, Frances Dickens, a brother, Alfred Dickens, two other sisters, Laetitia Dickens and Harriet Dickens. And three brothers, Frederick Dickens, Alfred Dickens and Augustus Newnham "Moses" Dickens. This is significant because he will go on to write masterpieces. (Priestley 15). -
War of 1812 begins
The war of 1812 begins, ironically in the same year Charles was born. The war was between England and the United States. It was over Britain violating the United States's maritime rights. It ended with the Treaty of Ghent. This is significant because a treaty came out of it mending the disagreement. (www.britannica.com). -
Napoleon dies
Napoleon, the great emperor that crowned himself. He was a masterful war leader and a very tactical and efficient general. He made France very powerful. He died on St. Helena, his exile location. This is notable because its the death of one of the most successful generals to ever live. (history.com). -
Monroe Doctrine
A policy in The United States that stated a end for European intervention with the colonies. This was initiated by James Monroe, the US president at the time. It also stated that the US wouldn't interfere with existing colonies in the Western Hemisphere. This is important because it split Britain and the US even more.(britannica.com). -
Work House
In 1824 John Dickens was arrested for debt and was shortly after sent to prison. Charles, only 12 at the time, had to work in a shoe blacking factory to pay off his father's debt. He had to do most on his own at this time, and pretty much fending for himself. This is significant because it built his personality and was a inspiration for the main character, Scrooge's backstory in The Christmas Carol. (biography.com) -
Liverpool and Manchester railway open
The Liverpool and Manchester railway opened in the 1830's in England. The Rocket, made by George Stephenson. This was the first modern railroad to exist. Was practical only for transporting minerals and materials back and fourth. This is significant because it greatly positively affected England's economy, and increased production and transportation of goods. (www.britannica.com). -
Slavery abolished in Britain
Slavery is abolished in Britain, and only on British soil around this time. This was confirmed by the Slavery Abolition act 1833. Britain abolished slavery about 33 years before the US. Was initiated in 1834. This is significant because many slaves and much of the population is now more content with where they are living, therefore positively affecting the economy. (www.victorianweb.org). -
Catherine Hogarth
Charles met Catherine Hogarth, the daughter of Georgina and George Hogarth, she was the oldest daughter. They met in 1834 and were a happy couple until 1835, when they were engaged. They were then married in April 1836. They took it to the next level, and their first child of the ten to come, was born in January of 1837. This is important because she was the inspiration for many characters and after all, his first love and shaped his views on love. (charlesdickensinfo.com). -
First book
The first book published by Charles Dickens is called the Pickwick Papers. The book was published by Chapman and Hall in installments around 1837. He worked a serious subject into a comedic work, usually lightening the mood of a political issue. (Perderson 305). -
Christmas Carol Published
Most popular piece of fiction that Charles produced by far. It was published by Chapman and Hall. Christmas Carol was the most successful holiday books, and one of the most recognized today, and then. Overall not much money was made because the printing costs were high. This is significant because its one of the most awarded and known holiday books and is created into many plays annually.(charlesdickensinfo.com) -
Charles's Father dies
John Dickens was born in 1785 and passed away in 1851. His occupation was a clerk in the navy, and this placed the Dickens family in lower middle class. Charles also drew inspiration from his father like he did from his mother. His father was the inspiration for Mr. Micawber in David Copperfield. This is significant because although Charles was put into work because of his father, he loved him very much and was sad to see him go. (charlesdickensinfo.com) -
The release of Catherine
The relationship was lively until 1842, when they both were overwhelmed by the mass amount of children and were both getting tired of each other. Charles then out of discontent in 1855, saw his former girlfriend Maria Beadnell. Charles later met a woman Ellen Ternan. Catherine ended up catching Charles with a bracelet delivered for Ellen to the wrong house, and the relationship died they separated in 1858. This is notable because she was Charles's first love and muse. (charlesdickensinfo.com) -
The start of the Civil war
The Civil war in the US started around nine years before Charles's death. The war initially started because a disagreement of whether slavery should be legal or not. State rights also were a factor. A permanent change the war made was the complete abolition of slavery. This event is important because it freed many in the US. (historynet.com). -
Charles's Mother dies
Charles's mom died in 1863. She had married John Dickens in 1809. She was the inspiring source of many of the characters in Charles's books. One of which is Nicholas Nickleby in David Copperfield. She was also born in 1785. Charles loved his mother dearly and although she chose to send his sister to school over him, he still loved her. (www.charlesdickensinfo.com) -
Train Crash
Charles dickens was on the Staplehurst rail crash, on June 9th, 1865. In the accident ten people died and forty were injured. Charles at the time was traveling with Ellen Ternan, and her mother. The cause of the crash was a derailment. All three survived. The railroad crash is often believed to have a affect on Charles's death, and ironically he died on the exact same day five years later. This is significant because many believe it had something to do with his death. (biography.com). -
The death of Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens died on June 9th, 1970 in Gad's Hill, United Kingdom. This was his home in Kent England. He at the time was 58, and he was writing a novel called "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and this novel was unfinished. He died at the time from a stroke with mainly unknown causes. He died with a girl named Ellen Ternan. This is significant because it is the death of one of England's most successful authors. (Gale).
