Today, February 7, marks the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, one of the world’s most beloved authors. Pictured above is an illustration of Dickens, by UTC alumnus Barry Moser. Early in his writing career Dickens wrote under the pseudonym of “Boz” and published his first book, Sketches by Boz, in 1836. Dickens went on to write many novels, including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, The 
Old Curiosity Shop, and Great Expectations. His characters, scenes, and locales were so memorable and colorful that a term was created: Dickensian. Many of his novels were serialized, and were very popular both in his native England as well as the United States. One of the first authors to become wealthy from his works, he was also quite in demand as a speaker and lecturer, and his public readings were often sold out, particularly when he toured America. The Special Collections of Lupton Library holds several first editions by Charles Dickens. Pictured to the left is the Special Collections’ first edition of Dickens’ The Cricket on the Hearth, a short Christmas novel he published in 1845.
So, Happy Birthday, Charles Dickens! Your books have entertained us for many years!