Charles Dickens’s 200th Birthday

[Will E Worm]

Google Celebrates Charles Dickens’s 200th Birthday

Born on Feb. 7 1812 in Landport, England, Charles John Huffam Dickens grew up in tough, working-class conditions. At age 12, after his father was thrown into a debtors’ prison, he was forced to work at a blacking factory.

This experience later influenced many of his famous novels, including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and Great Expectations.

Starting his career as a journalist, Dickens eventually started writing literary prose, which was published in monthly installments before being released as books.

His realistic portray of England’s lower-class life made him one of the greatest Victorian novelists and one of the most recognizable names in literature.

Dickens was also a philanthropist; together with Angela Burdett Coutts he founded the Urania Cottage, a home for “fallen” women, helping them learn to read and write.

Dickens died from the consequences of a stroke in his home on June 8, 1870. His last words were, reportedly, “Be natural my children. For the writer that is natural has fulfilled all the rules of art.”

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arty: Happy Birthday!

Hope I live to 200.

 

[Will E Worm]

Britain marks Charles Dickens' 200th birthday

London: Prince Charles led ceremonies Tuesday to mark the 200th birthday of novelist Charles Dickens - a writer as popular today as he was during his lifetime.

The heir to the British throne laid a wreath on the writer's grave in Westminster Abbey's Poet's Corner, in front of an audience containing dozens of Dickens' descendants.

Actor Ralph Fiennes read from "Bleak House," and there were prayers for the poor and marginalized, for writers and for journalists.

More events are being held in Portsmouth, southern England, where Dickens was born the son of a navy pay clerk on Feb 7, 1812.

When he died in 1870, at 58, he was one of the most famous writers in the world.

His novels, including "Oliver Twist" and "Great Expectations," are still read by millions and have spawned innumerable film and TV adaptations.

Dickens also was one of the first modern celebrity authors, and campaigned for social reform in Victorian England.

His biographer, Claire Tomalin, said today's headlines prove Dickens is still immensely relevant.

"The great gulf between the rich and poor, corrupt financiers, corrupt Members of Parliament. ... You name it, he said it," she said.

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[Ace Bandage]

200? :surprise: How is that fucker still alive? What's his secret?

He also hasn't put out any new works lately... what gives?