Charles Dickens

Once a gentleman, and always a gentleman - Little Dorrit

If truth be told, I’ve always found the stories of Charles Dickens somewhat depressing.  They all start off so humbling and some of the meanest characters in literary history are characters created by a writer who started his life as Charles John Huffam Dickens. 

Born in Portsea on the 7^th of February 1812, Charles was the second of eight children.  The family moved around quite a bit before they finally settled in London. Not the London as I know it today, but a cruel place where the class division was even more so apparent than now.

Portraits of Charles and his wife Catherine painted by Samual Lawrence

The stories that Dickens wrote stemmed from his own life experiences.  His father could never manage the family’s finances and as a result, his parents and the younger children were locked in debtor’s prison.  Charles worked in a warehouse pasting labels on pots of boot blacking and when the family were released, due to a relative dying and leaving them some money, he still contributed to the finances. This part of his life was a major influence on his work.  His characters were based on the people that had been significant in his making.

The house in Doughty Street where Dickens lived for only two years of his life is now a museum.  This is where he wrote The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. As you wander through the rooms, the walls house paintings of Charles and Catherine and there are relics of the past and the 'Dickensian' era.  They even have his now ‘empty chair’ which, of course is roped so that nobody can sit in it.

Dickens often wrote about places that were real and there are a few in London that still exist today. Not far from the Doughty Street property is The Old Curiosity Shop which was named after Dickens wrote the novel, but is said to be the influence for the antique store in the story. I am sorry to tell you that it’s now a shop that sells the most hideous shoes.  I’d rather seek my mind and imagine it full of the strange and interesting objects that were once there. There’s also a pub called The George Inn which can be found in Borough High Street that was actually named in Little Dorrit and they do a nice roast on a Sunday if you’re ever nearby.

The George Inn - Borough High St London

Charles Dickens passed away on the 9^th of June 1870 and is now buried in Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey.  During his life time he gave us look into the mean streets of London with his characters and stories which remind me that, Once upon a time in England, lived a writer whose lowly childhood prompted him to leave a legacy that will outlive us all.

www.dickensmuseum.com

'The air of London is sweeter for my presence' - Sherlock Holmes

When I decided to do this, I thought long and hard about who would be first.  I wanted to remind the world of the person behind one of the most famous characters in literary history. That's why I chose Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born on 22^nd May, 1859 in Edinburgh Scotland the son of Charles Altamont Doyle and Mary Foley. He started his adult career as a ships surgeon on the SS Mayumba in 1881.  The following year he joined a classmate by the name of George Budd in Plymouth as a partner in a medical practice. Fortunately for us, they didn’t get along and Conan Doyle left to set up an independent practice.  While waiting for patients, he started writing stories and the rest is history.

Recently I took a trip to South Norwood London, where Arthur Conan Doyle spent some of his adult life.  I managed to find the house he lived in on Tennison Road and procured a picture of the blue plaque that tends to go hand in hand with fame in London.  All though partially covered with ivy, the name is obvious. When you’re standing there taking a photo, it makes you wonder if the subject of the plaque once stood in that exact same spot.

Arthur Conan Doyle had several publications, but the most well known would be the 56 short stories and 4 novels that include Sherlock Holmes.  This character has proved so popular over the years that even now, they still make movies and television shows which are viewed favourably. The address – 221B Baker Street London where the character lived, is a museum which houses props relevant to the Sherlock Holmes stories. 

 221B Baker Street, the address of the fictitious Sherlock Holmes, now a museum.

A visit to the museum was a treat for my son Brendan (pictured above) who is a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories and a wealth of information on the subject.

Like a lot of writers, Arthur Conan Doyle based his characters on real people. The inspiration for Sherlock was Dr Joseph Bell a scottish lecturer at the Univeristy of Edinburgh.  The infamous Moriarty is said to be based on Adam Worth who is buried in consecrated ground at Highgate cemetery.

Picture of the grave of Adam Worth, the inspiration for James Moriarty

Arthur Conan Doyle died on the 7^th of July 1930 and is buried in Minstead Churchyard. Although the creator is no longer with us, his characters will live on reminding us that - Once upon a time in Edinburgh, the man who created Sherlock Holmes was born.

www.sirarthurconandoyle.com

www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk