BBC7

Charles Dickens is much loved for his great contribution to classical English literature. His own story was one of rags to riches. He was born in Portsmouth in 1812. The good fortune of being sent to school at the age of nine was short-lived because his father, who inspired the character of Mr Micawber in David Copperfield, was imprisoned for bad debt. The entire family, apart from Charles, were sent to Marshalsea along with him. Charles was put to work in a blacking factory where he endured appalling conditions as well as loneliness and despair. After three years he was returned to school but the experience was never forgotten and became fictionalised in two of his novels, David Copperfield and Great Expectations.

He began his literary career as a journalist. With his contacts in the press he was able to publish a series of sketches under the pseudonym 'Boz'. In April 1836, he married Catherine Hogarth and published the highly successful Pickwick Papers, and from that point on there was no looking back.

As well as a huge list of novels, he published an autobiography, edited weekly periodicals, and wrote travel books. He was also a theatre enthusiast, wrote plays and performed before Queen Victoria in 1851. His energy was inexhaustible and he spent much time abroad - for example lecturing against slavery in the United States.

Charles Dickens had ten children and died of a stroke in 1870.