The Life of Charles Dickens - Lesson 3 - Charles Dickens Information Worksheet

Charles Dickens, an eminent literary figure, was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth. His early life was marked by hardship, as his father, John Dickens, struggled with debt and was eventually incarcerated in a debtor's prison in 1824. This misfortune thrust young Charles into the workforce at the tender age of 12, where he toiled in a bootblack factory to contribute to his family's livelihood. The tides turned for Charles when his father was bequeathed a legacy, enabling the family to settle their debts and liberating his father from prison. Post this event, Charles was able to return to education for two more years before embarking on a clerical career in London.

1835 was a significant year for Dickens as he married Catherine Hogarth, with whom he had a large family of ten children; however, their marriage ended in separation in 1858. Dickens' literary career took off with the publication of his first book, 'The Pickwick Papers', in 1837, which quickly catapulted him to fame. Over the next three decades, he enjoyed immense popularity, authored a plethora of successful books, and entertained audiences worldwide with readings of his work. Charles Dickens' life journey concluded on June 9, 1870, and he was honoured with a burial at the prestigious Westminster Abbey.