The Life Of Charles Dickens

by F.G. Kitton

The story of Charles Dickens's life is a truly remarkable rags-to-riches tale. His father's bankruptcy and imprisonment led to Dickens working in a blacking factory at an early age. These humble beginnings were to become a major influence upon his life and his writings. Dickens became a sensation in his own time and his legacy lives on. His books sold in tens of thousands. Audiences flocked to see him when he performed public readings of his works, inciting "Bozmania." Venues became sold out, touts sold tickets at inflated prices, and women fainted at his thrilling recitals. He went on to conquer America and commanded great fees for his performances. This long overdue republication, from 1902, chronologically records the events in the life of the "Inimitable Boz." We discover that he was not just an author but also an actor, publisher, journalist, editor, public reader, art critic, political economist and social reformer. We learn about the characters in his books; who inspired them and uncover something of the personality of Dickens himself. He was a meticulous workaholic with a desire not to be poor again and it was this desire that ultimately killed him. About the author Frederic George Kitton (1856-1904) was born in Norwich, England. At the age of seventeen he moved to London and joined the staff of The Graphic as an apprentice. He became a skilled etcher and contributed to artistic journals before becoming an author. Kitton was one of the founders of the Dickens Fellowship and most of his publications relate to the life and works of Charles Dickens including " A Bibliography of the Literature Relating to Charles Dickens and His Writings" as well as annotating the "Rochester" edition of "Dickens's Works."

540 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Frederic George Kitton was born in Norwich on 5 May, 1856, the son of a tobacconist and honorary Member of the Microscopical Society, Frederick Kitton, and his wife Mary Spence.

He was educated at a private school in Norwich and went to London at the age of 17 when he was trained as a draughtsman and wood engraver by Mr W L Thomas of 'The Graphic'. During his life many of his engravings appeared in newspapers, artistic journals and books.

He adopted literature as a profession, more especially that branch of literature concerned with the illustration of books. One of his earliest publications of this nature was a memoir of Hablot Knight Browne entitled 'Phiz' (1882). 'John Leech Artist and Humourist' followed in 1883.

But the most important work of his life was a study of Charles Dickens and he edited the Autograph edition of his works. Among his most important works on the author were 'Dickensiana' (1886), 'Charles Dickens By Pen and Pencil' (1889), 'Dickens and His Illustrators' (1893), and 'Charles Dickens His Life, Writings and Personality' (1902). And after reading a paper at the Inaugural Meeting of the Dickens Fellowship held in London on 5 November 1902, his paper was subsequently published as The Dickens Fellowship Publications No 2 entitled 'Dickens and His Illustrators' in 1903.

He also published a memoir of his father, Mr Frederic Kitton in 1895 and a centenary memoir of the musician Zechariah Buck in 1899. In addition he was a frequent contributor of both articles and drawings to the Art Journal and the Magazine of Art. He was also Honorary Secretary to the Hertfordshire Art Society from 1900 to his death and one of the honorary secretaries of the Hertfordshire County Museum.

He moved to St Albans in about 1883 living in Richmond Lodge, Church Crescent, but moving to Pre Mill House at some date after marrying Emily Eliza Lawford in 1890.

He died in London on Saturday 10 September 1904 following an operation.

Gerry Wolstenholme
July 2015