Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England. He was the eldest son and second of eight children born to John and Elizabeth Dickens. His father was a clerk in the Navy Pay Office, and his mother aspired to be a teacher.
Dickens' childhood was not always a happy one. His father was often in debt, and the family was forced to move frequently. When Dickens was 12 years old, his father was imprisoned for debt, and Charles was sent to work at Warren's Blacking Factory. He worked 10 hours a day, pasting labels on bottles of shoe polish, earning 6 shillings per week. Although he abhorred this working-class experience, it greatly influenced his life and became a major theme in his novels.
Dickens once again was forced to leave school at the age of 15, this time for good. He was hired as an office clerk in a law office and this job proved to be the jumping off point for his literary career. Within a few years of his hire, he had become a freelance reporter for two London newspapers. A natural actor and entertainer, Dickens was also drawn to the theatre.
In 1833, he began contributing sketches to magazines and newspapers under the pseudonym “Boz,” which was a family nickname. Three years later, the articles were published in his first book, Sketches by Boz. His first novel, "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club" was a huge success, and it established Dickens as one of the most popular writers of his time.
Between 1836 and 1870, he wrote 15 novels. His novels were often published in serial form in magazines, which was a common practice at the time. Some of his other famous works include "Oliver Twist" (1838), "Nicholas Nickleby" (1839), "The Old Curiosity Shop" (1841), "Barnaby Rudge" (1841), "A Tale of Two Cities" (1859), and "Great Expectations" (1861).
Dickens' novels are known for their humor, social commentary, and insights into human nature. He wrote about the plight of the poor and the working class, and campaigned for better working conditions and education for the poor. His stories have inspired countless readers, and they continue to be enjoyed today. In addition to his novels, Dickens also wrote plays, short stories, and essays. A successful editor and journalist, he founded the weekly magazine, "Household Words" in 1850 and edited it until his death in 1870. He was buried in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey.