The Life of Charles Dickens

A three-volume biography of Dickens, published in 1872–4 by one of his closest friends and advisors.

John Forster (Author)

9781108039369, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 December 2011

492 pages, 3 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.8 cm, 0.62 kg

John Forster (1812–76), an exact contemporary of Charles Dickens, was one of his closest friends, and acted for him (as for many other authors) as advisor, editor, proofreader, agent and marketing manager: according to Thackeray, 'whenever anyone is in a scrape we all fly to him for refuge. He is omniscient and works miracles.' Forster was Dickens' literary executor, and was left the manuscripts of many of the novels, which he in turn left (along with the rest of his magnificent library) to the South Kensington Museum (later the Victoria and Albert Museum). He was ideally placed to write a biography of Dickens, having known him since the 1830s, and having been involved in deeply private matters such as Dickens' separation from his wife. This three-volume account was first published between 1872 and 1874; the version of Volume 2 reissued here is the 'tenth thousand' of 1873.

1. 1842. American Notes
2. 1843. First year of Martin Chuzzlewit
3. 1843–4. Chuzzlewit disapointments and Christmas Carol
4. Year of departure for Italy
5. 1844. Idleness at Albaro: Villa Bagnerello
6. 1844. Work in Genoa: Palazzo Peschiere
7. 1844. Italian travel
8. 1845. Last months in Italy
9. 1845–6. Again in England
10. 1846. A home in Switzerland
11. 1846. Swiss people and scenery
12. 1846. Sketches chiefly personal
13. 1846. Literary labour at Lausanne
14. 1846. Revolution at Geneva, Christmas Book, and last days in Switzerland
15. 1846–7. Three months in Paris
16. 1846–8. Dombey and Son
17. 1847–52. Splendid strolling
18. 1848–51. Seaside holidays
19. 1848–50. Haunted Man and Household Words
20. 1848–51. Last years in Devonshire Terrace.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900 [DSBF]