1. Death of Their First Child: Their first child, Charles Culliford Boz Dickens, died in 1841, just a few months after his birth. The loss left both Charles and Catherine grief-stricken and affected Dickens deeply.
2. Marital and Financial Struggles: Dickens and Catherine's marriage faced challenges over time. They had 10 children together, and the financial strain of supporting a large family sometimes led to disagreements. In 1858, Dickens separated from Catherine, and they eventually divorced in 1869.
3. Death of Catherine's Sister: Catherine's younger sister, Mary Hogarth, whom the couple had grown close to, died suddenly in 1837 at the age of 17. Her passing deeply impacted Charles and Catherine and is believed to have contributed to Catherine's declining health.
4. Loss of Their Daughter, Dora: In 1851, Dickens and Catherine's daughter Dora Annie Dickens passed away at the age of 8 months. The loss of their young child was a devastating blow to the couple.
5. Deaths in Later Life: Unfortunately, both Charles Dickens and Catherine Hogarth Dickens experienced the loss of loved ones later in life. Catherine lost several of her siblings and relatives, while Charles lost some close friends and fellow writers. These losses compounded the personal tragedies they had already experienced.
These events undoubtedly brought heartache and sorrow to the Dickens family. Despite their personal challenges, Charles Dickens continued to write and produce some of his most memorable literary works during his lifetime.