Dickens (Charles) Papers, 1837-1869

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Summary

Title:
Charles Dickens papers
Dates:
1837-1869
Creators:
Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
Abstract:
A collection of letters by Charles Dickens which also includes manuscripts, and printed material.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Charles Dickens papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of letters and manuscripts by Charles Dickens; the letters are written to, among others, Hablot Knight Browne, Peter Cunningham, Sir Alexander Cornewall Duff-Gordon, John Forster, Frances Maria Kelly, Charles Kent, Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton, Earl of Lytton, and Mary Sargeant Gove Nichols. The letters cover a range of topics including Dickens' novels Nicholas Nickleby, Little Dorrit and A Christmas Carol, as well as Dickens' comments on the American Civil War and the poems of a young girl sent to Dickens by her father. The collection also includes a signed print of Dickens, an inscribed printed photograph, and a print by Phiz (Hablot Knight Browne). A small number of letters also have typewritten transcriptions and catalogue descriptions.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was a British writer during the Victorian era, perhaps the most celebrated writer of his time; he used his writing to entertain but to also expose the ills of Victorian society. Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England, and was forced by family circumstances to leave school at the age of 12 for three years. After some additional schooling, he began his writing career as a journalist; over the following decades, he was also a journal editor, publisher, critic, and a writer of novels, short stories, and articles. Dickens also gave many lectures and reading performances throughout England and America. He used his writing to campaign for social reform for children and education among other issues. In 1836, he married Catherine Thomson Hogarth; together they had 10 children. On June 8, 1870, Dickens had a second stroke at his home; he never regained consciousness and, the next day, he died at Gads Hill Place.

Acquisition information:
Purchased for the Huntington from Charles Apfelbaum by the Library Collectors' Council, January 2010.
Processing information:

Processed by Gayle M. Richardson in 2010; in December 2023, a finding aid was created. This collection was formerly titled: Letters of Charles Dickens, 1837-1869.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Gayle M. Richardson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-12-01 10:08:21 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Charles Dickens papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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