1. He was a reporter before a novelist: Dickens started his writing career as a reporter for the "Morning Chronicle," covering criminal trials and parliamentary debates. This experience provided him with invaluable insight into the lives of different social classes, which he later incorporated into his novels.
2. He invented the Christmas card: Dickens's novella "A Christmas Carol" (1843) is credited with popularizing the tradition of sending Christmas cards.
3. He was a social reformer: Dickens was a passionate advocate for social justice and used his writing to expose the injustices of the Victorian era, particularly the plight of the poor and the working class.
4. He was a public reader: Dickens was known for his dramatic public readings of his works, which were extremely popular and drew large crowds. He was a master of vocal delivery and could bring his characters to life with his voice.
5. He was a popular author in his lifetime: Dickens was a literary superstar during his time, with his novels selling out quickly and being read by people from all walks of life. He was also a celebrity, with his public appearances drawing crowds and his opinions being widely sought after.
6. He was married twice: Dickens was married to Catherine Hogarth in 1836, but the relationship eventually fell apart. They had 10 children together. After divorcing Catherine in 1858, he married his younger mistress, Ellen Ternan, in a secret ceremony.
7. He was a fan of the theatre: Dickens was an avid theatregoer and used his knowledge of the stage to bring his characters to life on the page. He even wrote plays himself, although they were not as successful as his novels.
8. He traveled extensively: Dickens traveled widely, both for his work and for pleasure. He visited the United States, Italy, Switzerland, and France, among other countries.
9. He wrote over 15 novels: Dickens's prolific output included classics like "Oliver Twist," "A Tale of Two Cities," "Great Expectations," and "David Copperfield," as well as numerous short stories and essays.
10. He died at the age of 58: Dickens died suddenly in 1870 from a stroke, leaving behind a legacy of literary brilliance and social commentary.