* Henry Fielding: Dickens often acknowledged Fielding's influence, particularly his novel "Tom Jones" (1749). Both authors shared a penchant for social satire, vivid characters, and engaging storylines focused on everyday life. Dickens even dedicated his novel "The Pickwick Papers" to Fielding.
* William Makepeace Thackeray: Although Thackeray was Dickens' contemporary and a rival in some ways, his social commentary and his portrayal of complex characters in novels like "Vanity Fair" (1848) likely influenced Dickens' own work. Both authors explored themes of social mobility, hypocrisy, and the realities of Victorian society.
It's important to note that Dickens was also influenced by a range of other writers, including Samuel Richardson, Tobias Smollett, and even Shakespeare. His exposure to the picaresque tradition, popular theatre, and 18th-century sentimental novels all played a role in shaping his literary voice and style.