Charles Dickens - Pickwick Papers

1812

7 February Charles John Huffam Dickens born at Portsmouth, where his father is a clerk in the Navy Pay Office. The eldest son in a family of eight, two of whom die in childhood.

1817

After previous postings to London and Sheerness and frequent changes of address, John Dickens settles his family in Chatham.

1821

Dickens attends local school kept by a Baptist minister.

1822

Family returns to London.

1824

Dickenss father in Marshalsea Debtors Prison for three months. During this time and afterwards Dickens employed in a blacking warehouse, labelling bottles. Resumes education at Wellington House Academy, Hampstead Road, London, 18257.

1827

Becomes a solicitors clerk.

1830

Admitted as a reader to the British Museum.

1832

Becomes a parliamentary reporter after mastering shorthand. In love with Maria Beadnell, 183033. Misses audition as an actor at Covent Garden because of illness.

1833

First published story, A Dinner at Poplar Walk, in the Monthly Magazine. Further stories and sketches in this and other periodicals, 18345.

1834

Becomes reporter on the Morning Chronicle.

1835

Engaged to Catherine Hogarth, daughter of editor of the Evening Chronicle.

1836

Sketches by Boz, First and Second Series, published. Marries Catherine Hogarth. Meets John Forster, his literary adviser and future biographer. The Strange Gentleman, a farce, and The Village Coquettes, a pastoral operetta, professionally performed in London.

1837

The Pickwick Papers published in one volume (issued in monthly parts, 18367). Birth of a son, the first of ten children. Death of Mary Hogarth, Dickenss sister-in-law. Edits Bentleys Miscellany, 18379.

1838

Oliver Twist published in three volumes (serialized monthly in Bentleys Miscellany, 18379). Visits Yorkshire schools of the Dotheboys type.

1839

Nicholas Nickleby published in one volume (issued in monthly parts, 18389). Moves to 1 Devonshire Terrace, Regents Park, London.

1841

Declines invitation to stand for Parliament. The Old Curiosity Shop and Bamaby Rudge published in separate volumes after appearing in weekly numbers in Master Humphreys Clock, 184041. Public dinner in his honour at Edinburgh.

1842

JanuaryJune First visit to North America, described in American Notes, two volumes. Georgina Hogarth, Dickenss sister-in-law, becomes permanent member of the household.

1843

Speech on the Press to Printers Pension Society, followed by others on behalf of various causes throughout Dickenss career. A Christmas Carol published in December.

1844

Martin Chuzzlewit published in one volume (issued in monthly parts, 18434). Dickens and family leave for Italy, Switzerland and France. Dickens returns to London briefly to read The Chimes to friends before its publication in December.

1845

Dickens and family return from Italy. The Cricket on the Hearth published at Christmas. Writes autobiographical fragment, ? 18456, not published until included in Forsters Life (three volumes, 18724).

1846

Becomes first editor of the Daily News but resigns after seventeen issues. Pictures from Italy published. Dickens and family in Switzerland and Paris. The Battle of Life published at Christmas.