Charles Dickens (1812–1870) is widely regarded as one of the greatest novelists in the history of English literature. Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens rose from a difficult childhood to become the most celebrated writer of the Victorian era. His novels, filled with memorable characters, vivid descriptions, and strong social criticism, continue to captivate readers around the world more than a century after his death. Dickens's early life strongly influenced his writing. When he was twelve years old, his father was imprisoned for debt, forcing young Dickens to leave school and work in a factory pasting labels on bottles of shoe polish. The experience left a deep emotional mark on him and shaped his lifelong concern for the poor, children, and the injustices of industrial society. Many of his novels reflect these experiences, portraying the harsh realities faced by the lower classes in nineteenth-century England. Dickens began his career as a journalist and quickly gained attention for his sharp observations and engaging style. His first major success came with The Pickwick Papers (1836–1837), a humorous series of sketches that made him famous almost overnight. After this breakthrough, he went on to write a series of novels that would become classics of world literature, including Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Great Expectations, and A Tale of Two Cities.