Port Cities: People and places

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

The greatest English novelist of the Victorian era

Known for

A sculpted panel commemorating Charles Dickens. © NMM
Charles Dickens is generally considered to be the greatest English novelist of the Victorian era.

His works include:

Oliver Twist
Pickwick Papers
David Copperfield
Bleak House
A Christmas Carol
Nicholas Nickleby
Little Dorrit
Martin Chuzzlewit
Great Expectations
The Old Curiosity Shop
A Tale of Two Cities
Hard Times

Port connection

A riverside wharf from Dickens' day. © NMM
His works show a thorough knowledge of the port of London (or “Down by the Docks”). The Uncommercial Traveller charts his journeys to the docks and to surrounding districts such as Wapping and Shadwell.

Charles Dickens had a keen interest in the lives of ordinary people and a deep sympathy for those who worked in the port and sailed the ships.

Many of the greatest scenes in his novels were set in London.

Interesting facts

Not only was Charles Dickens a writer but also a journalist, a director and an actor in numerous amateur theatres.

Life story

1812	Born in Portsmouth on 7 February, the son of Jon, a clerk in the Navy Pay Office at the dockyard, and Elizabeth Dickens.
1814	His father moves to London for two years.
1821	The family returns to London.
1833	His first published story, 'Dinner at Poplar Walk', appears.
1836	Marries Catharine Hogart.
1836-1857	Among others he writes and serialises 'Oliver Twist', 'Pickwick Papers', 'David Copperfield', 'Bleak House', 'A Christmas Carol', 'Nicholas Nickleby', 'Little Dorrit', 'Martin Chuzzlewit', 'The Old Curiosity Shop', 'Barnaby Rudge' and 'Hard Times'.
1857	Moves to Rochester.
1857-1870	Among others he writes and serialises 'A Tale of Two Cities', 'Great Expectations' and 'Our Mutual Friend'.
1870	Dies at Gads Hill Place in Rochester, and is buried at Westminster Abbey.

	Back to Millwall Docks and the Royal Albert Dock