Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812–1870) was an English novelist and social critic, widely regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His literary genius is evident in his creation of some of the world’s most iconic fictional characters. Born in Portsmouth, Dickens faced adversity early in life when his father was imprisoned for debt, leading young Charles to work in a boot-blacking factory. Despite this challenging start, he went on to become a prolific writer, leaving an indelible mark on literature.