Biography:Charles Dickens was an English writer, considered by many the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
Many of his characters are still known around the work: Oliver Twist, Ebenezer Scrooge, David Copperfield, and so on. His books and short stories are still read widely today.
In 1836, Dickens' first success came with the publication of "The Pickwick Papers". This led to his rapid rise as an international literary phenomenon.
His works also pioneered the use of serial publication, in which the stories would be published in monthly or weekly instalments.
1836-04-02 English novelist and social critic Charles Dickens (24) marries Catherine Thomson Hogarth (20)
Historical Events
1836-02-07 "Sketches by Boz" (essays) published by Charles Dickens
1842-01-03 Charles Dickens and his wife Catherine leave Liverpool, England for America on board the RMS Britannia
1842-01-22 Charles Dickens arrives in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife, Catherine
1843-12-19 "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is published, 6,000 copies sold
1846-01-21 1st edition of Charles Dickens' newspaper "The Daily News"
1854-04-01 "Hard Times" begins serialisation in Charles Dickens magazine, "Household Words"
1859-04-30 Charles Dickens' "A Tale Of Two Cities" is first published in literary periodical "All the Year Round" (weekly installments until Nov 26)
1859-11-26 Last weekly installment of Charles Dickens' "A Tale Of Two Cities" is published in literary periodical "All the Year Round"
1867-12-02 In a New York City theater, British author Charles Dickens gives his first public reading in the United States
1963-01-06 Lionel Bart's musical "Oliver!", based on Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist", and featuring a young Davy Jones, opens at Imperial Theater, NYC; runs for 774 performances, winning 3 Tony Awards
1964-11-14 Lionel Bart's musical "Oliver!", based on Charles Dickens' 1838 novel "Oliver Twist", and featuring Clive Revill, Danny Sewell, and Davy Jones, closes at Imperial Theater, NYC, after 774 performances and 3 Tony Award wins
1965-10-04 Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse's musical "Pickwick", based on Charles Dickens' novel "The Pickwick Papers', featuring Harry Secombe and Charlotte Rae, opens at 46th St Theater, NYC; runs for 56 performances
1965-11-20 Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse's musical "Pickwick", based on Charles Dickens' novel "The Pickwick Papers', featuring Harry Secombe and Charlotte Rae, closes at 46th St Theater, NYC, after 56 performances
1985-12-02 Rupert Holmes' musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood", based on an unfinished work of Charles Dickens, opens at the Imperial Theater, NYC; runs for 608 performances, winning 5 Tony Awards
1987-05-16 Rupert Holmes' musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood", based on an unfinished work of Charles Dickens, closes at the Imperial Theatre, NYC, after 608 performances and 5 Tony Award wins
Danielle Steel
Edgar Wallace
Émile Zola
Frank Herbert
Graham Greene
Michael Crichton