Charles Dickens was born 7 February 1812 and he was an English writer and social critic who is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period.
Dickens left school to work in a factory after his father was thrown into debtors' prison.
He edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels and hundreds of short stories and non- fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.