Charles Dickens (1812-1870) English, (16) The Complete Works of Charles Dickens. Includes all 15 novels, his travelogues, and novellas in matching sets with illustrations, making 16 bound volumes in total. Printed in the 1930s. 

Size: 7 x 4 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. 

Charles Dickens was born in 1812 and was heavily traumatized when he was forced to work in a factory at age 12 while his father was in debtors’ prison. This period deeply influenced his literary output, providing the inspiration for iconic novels such as David Copperfield and Oliver Twist, eventually influencing positive change to England and the way of life he had suffered through. He achieved overnight fame with The Pickwick Papers and became a pioneer of the best-selling author model by ensuring his books were affordable for all social classes, soon advising Queen Victoria herself on the plight of her subjects. Beyond his writing, Dickens was a passionate social reformer in both the United Kingdom and America, whose travelogues condemned slavery and whose story A Christmas Carol revitalized the celebration of the holiday. His later life was marked by personal turmoil, including a scandalous separation from his wife and a clandestine relationship with actress Ellen Ternan. After surviving a harrowing 1865 train crash he became increasingly obsessed with the occult while writing his final, unfinished work The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Since his death in 1870 Dickens has remained one of the most prolific creators in history, with all of his novels and novellas still in print in the 21st Century.

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