The Life of Charles Dickens: His Llife, Writings, and Personality

The story of Charles Dickens's life is a truly remarkable rags-to-riches tale. His father's bankruptcy and imprisonment led to Dickens working in a blacking factory at an early age. These humble beginnings were to become a major influence upon his life and his writings.

Dickens became a sensation in his own time and his legacy lives on. His books sold in tens of thousands. Audiences flocked to see him when he performed public readings of his works, inciting "Bozmania." Venues became sold out, touts sold tickets at inflated prices, and women fainted at his thrilling recitals. He went on to conquer America and commanded great fees for his performances.

This long overdue republication, from 1902, chronologically records the events in the life of the "Inimitable Boz." We discover that he was not just an author but also an actor, publisher, journalist, editor, public reader, art critic, political economist and social reformer.

We learn about the characters in his books; who inspired them and uncover something of the personality of Dickens himself. He was a meticulous workaholic with a desire not to be poor again and it was this desire that ultimately killed him.

About the author
Frederic George Kitton (1856-1904) was born in Norwich, England. At the age of seventeen he moved to London and joined the staff of The Graphic as an apprentice. He became a skilled etcher and contributed to artistic journals before becoming an author.

Kitton was one of the founders of the Dickens Fellowship and most of his publications relate to the life and works of Charles Dickens including "Dickensiana: A Bibliography of the Literature Relating to Charles Dickens and His Writings" as well as annotating the "Rochester" edition of "Dickens's Works."