Charles Dickens By cristina_prof13 Feb 7, 1812 Birth in Portsmouth (England) 1824 John Dickens is sent to prison 1824 Charles left school to work in a factory 1836 First success: 'The Pickwick Papers' 1843 Publication of 'A Christmas Carol' 1843 Best-known work of historical fiction: 'A Tale of Two Cities" Jun 9, 1870 Death