Learn more about this literary legend and the impact Charles Dickens has had in the 19th century and beyond.
With Charles Dickens’s birthday coming up, it’s as good a time as any to remember this literary giant.
Charles Dickens and His Early Career as a Serial Novelist
Most anyone who went to high school in an English-speaking country won’t need an introduction to Charles Dickens. His novels from the early-to-mid 19th century have endured to this day as literary classics and can often be found on your average English class syllabus for 14-year-olds on up, like Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities.
And of course, anyone who celebrates Christmas has almost certainly seen an adaptation of possibly his most famous work, A Christmas Carol.
But what about the man himself? For starters, he was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England, a port city on the country’s southern coast a two-hour drive from London.
He began his writing career at age 15 doing journalism, though he didn’t have literary success until 1836. And no, it wasn’t Oliver Twist or David Copperfield that won people’s hearts, but his first serial publication, The Pickwick Papers, which he wrote under his pseudonym, Boz.
For those who don’t know, serial publications are when someone publishes one chapter at a time, usually in a literary magazine, much in the same way a lot of web novels do it today. Some say that Dickens is the reason serial novels became popular in the 1800s. Considering every single one of his novels was first put out in serial form, you know he was dedicated to the medium.
A Lasting Impact on Literature and Society
All that said, Dickens’s biggest impact on literature wasn’t the means of publishing, but the themes he tackled. He popularized the social novel, addressing important social issues like poverty and inequality in a way that both captured the imagination and made people think. He achieved this by mixing serious themes with real-life experiences, bringing attention to the struggles of the underprivileged. He even inspired social reforms like child labor laws and improvements to education.
Dickens’ works influenced countless authors across genres—and not just in English literature. His works were translated into French and had a huge impact on writers in France, inspiring many with memorable characters like Ebenezer Scrooge and Oliver Twist.
The Influence of Charles Dickens on Modern Storytelling and Pop Culture
Dickens’s influence is still felt today, and not just in a million remakes of A Christmas Carol. Like Shakespeare, Dickens is credited with inventing quite a few words, like rampage, boredom, and devil-may-care—all of which are still commonly used today. This is a subtler sign of his impact not only on literature but popular culture as a whole.
Dickens also had a certain flair for suspense and was the master of the cliffhanger. It’s probably what made him so popular as a serial novelist: he knew how to hook people in so they had to come back for more. Even though cliffhangers are today the bane of many readers’ existence, there’s a reason why they’re so widely used in all sorts of media, not just books.
Fun Facts About Charles Dickens’s Birthday
Now, there are only so many fun facts to be had about a single person’s birthday, but these are amusing enough that they deserve a mention. First, apparently Dickens usually went to bed at eight o’clock, except on his birthday when he would “sit up to supper.” I am assuming this means he had his evening meal in bed, a classic reversal of breakfast in bed. (Alternative theory: I am completely misinterpreting his words, and only an expert on the Victorian era can guide me to the light.)
Another fun fact: while some people might say work before fun, Dickens didn’t let a little thing like a reading tour stop him from celebrating his birthday. Or rather, it didn’t stop his fans. When February 7th rolled around during his American Reading Tour, he was showered with gifts—flowers, garlands, a shirt pin, a silver traveling bottle, and more.
He humorously noted that people observed his birthday “as though [he] were a little boy.” Even adults can appreciate getting spoiled now and then.
Charles Dickens Events and Activities for Fans
One of the most notable events takes place at the Charles Dickens Museum in London, UK. This year, it will be held on February 20, 2025—a bit later than his actual birthday—and specifically tailored to families with children aged 5-8.
The museum will also be hosting a month-long exhibition for its 100-year anniversary. Not exactly a Dickens birthday party, but it’s sure to have a lot of special features on the man.
The Charles Dickens Museum is located at 48 Doughty St., which is close to St. Andrew’s Gardens and the Mail Post Museum. The closest bus stop is Coley Street, just two streets over. It’s open Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:00 PM.
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Migz
K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
