Charles Dickens' birthday

"Dickensian" is an adjective sometimes used to describe situations reminiscent of the dark and gritty style and subject matter of Charles Dickens, perhaps the most famous novelist of Victorian England.

Born 200 years ago, on February 7, 1812, Dickens is responsible for creating some of English literature's most memorable characters, including Ebenezer Scrooge (of A Christmas Carol), Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and Miss Havisham (of Great Expectations).

Other memorable characters have taken a Dickensian turn on the screen, from the cast of cats and dogs in Oliver and Company to Dora the Explorer in Dora's Christmas Carol to WC Fields and Lionel Barrymore in David Copperfield.

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