| 1812
|
Born, Friday, 7
February at 387, Mile End Terrace Land port, Portsea, to John Dickens and Elizabeth
Dickens. |
| 1816 |
Father
transferred to Chatham where he spent some of the happiest times in his life. |
| 1824
|
Father arrested
for debt and put into Marshalsea prison. Charles worked at Warren’s Blacking Factory.
Later joined school as a day pupil. |
| 1827
|
Became office
boy for the firm of Ellis and Blackmore. Decided to become a journalist. |
| 1829
|
Learned
shorthand and worked as a freelance reporter at Doctor’s Common Court.
Met his first love Maria Beadnell. |
| 1831 |
Worked as
shorthand reporter of parliamentary proceedings for Mirror of parliament and later,
reporter for evening newspaper True Sun. |
| 1833
|
His first
sketch A Dinner at Poplar Walk got published in Monthly Magazine.
Stopped seeing Maria Beadnell. |
| 1834
|
Adopted the
fictitious name of "Boz" with which he signed his articles.
Catherine Hogarth, daughter of his friend, editor George Hogarth became his fiancée.
Received £ 150 for copyrights of Sketches by Boz. First episode of Pickwick
Papers was published. Married Catherine Hogarth. Met his ever best friend and first
biographer John Forster. Became editor of Bentley’s Miscellany. |
| 1837 |
Oliver
Twist began appearing in monthly parts in Bentley’s Miscellany. |
| 1838 |
Began
writing Nicholas Nickleby |
| 1842 |
Visited
the United States and wrote American Notes. |
| 1849 |
David
Copperfield, the most famous of his works began to appear in serial form. |
| 1858 |
Started
first paid public readings in London. Divorced Catherine. |
| 1860 |
Moved
to "Gad’s Hill place" the house of his dreams. Started Great
Expectations. |
| 1863 |
His
mother Elizabeth died.
Health deteriorated due to overwork and strain. His son Walter Dickens died. |
| 1869 |
Started
writing The Mystery of Edwin Drood which he could never complete. |
| 1870 |
Suffered
a paralytic stroke on June 8 at Gad’s hill after strenuous days’ work. |
| JUNE 9, 1870 |
Died
at Gad’s Hill Place. |
| JUNE 14, 1870 |
Buried
with all honors at West Minister Abbey. Later, in September his last book, the unfinished Mystery
of Edwin Drood was published. |
