Charles Dickens Biography

Early LifeCharles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in Landport, Hampshire, during the new industrial age. He was the second of eight children, and therefore one of the more educated. He was also the one to work in the factory when his family got into debt, but I’ll tell you about that in a second.

In 1816, he moved to Kent, and his family stayed there until 1821, when he was 9 when he was already well educated. He was the second of eight children, and even from an early age his father saw potential in Charles, and henceforth, Charles was allowed to go into his father’s study whenever he wanted. In later years, he always looked back on Kent with fondness, and even used it as a base for some of his fictional books. (www.dickensliterature.com)In 1821, his family moved “down the hill” to 18 St. Mary’s place, also in Kent. He lived there until 1824, and during this time he was taught next door by William Giles, the local school teacher. He advanced rapidly through his studies, and Mr. Giles was proud to have such a good student. However, in December of that year, Mr. Dickens’ financial position became far less secure, and by 1823, Charles is denied the opportunity to go to school by his parents. (Dickens journal at www.dickenslive.com)1824 was one of the most influential years of Charles Dickens’ childhood, and the event that started it off, on Monday, February 9, Charles went to Warren’s Blacking Factory, and his job was to sit still all day on an assembly line and put labels on bottles of boot black. On February 20, John Dickens was arrested for a debt of 40 pounds, and on the 21, Charles realizes that he must go gather the money or lose...