Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic who lived from 1812 to 1870. He is regarded as one of the most influential novelists of the Victorian era, and his works have a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. He is often regarded as one who successfully recorded the worst and the best of contemporary culture through his literary creations.

Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England, in a poor family. He had to give up education at a young age and begin to work in the Warren’s shoe polish factory at the age of twelve. He worked in a law office and honed his writing skills before becoming a parliamentary reporter. He initially wrote under the pseudonym ‘Boz’ and his first short story The Boarding House was published in 1934 in the Monthly Magazine. He also wrote some essays under the same pseudonym. His first success as a writer came with the publication of his novel The Pickwick Papers in 1836, which was followed by a string of popular works such as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities.

Dickens’s writing was characterized by his vivid characters, memorable settings and his exceptional skills of portraying the social and economic realities of Victorian England. His writings carried ample sympathy for the poor and working-class, and his novels often highlighted the plight of those who were marginalized by society. His works were also notable for their strong moral themes, which emphasized the importance of compassion, kindness and social justice.

In addition to his fiction writing, Dickens was a prolific journalist and essayist. He wrote extensively on social issues such as poverty, crime and education, and was a prominent advocate for social reform. He was also a keen observer of the human condition, and his works offer insight into the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of everyday life.

Charles Dickens is perhaps the world’s first global celebrity. His works continue to be widely read and adapted for stage and screen. His legacy as a social reformer and champion of the marginalized lives makes him an inspiration to generations around the world, across ages.