Charles Dickens and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term "Dickensian" is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters. Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on 7 February 1812, at 1 Mile End Terrace (now 393 Commercial Road), Landport in Portsea Island (Portsmouth), the second of eight children of Elizabeth Dickens (née Barrow; 1789–1863) and John Dickens (1785–1851). His father was a clerk in the
Billy Smith (English footballer, born 1906) Billy Smith (English footballer, born 1906) William Henry Smith (9 June 1906 – 1963) was an English footballer who played as a full-back in the Football League for South Shields, Portsmouth and Stockport County. Smith, who played in either full-back position, spend the majority of his career at Portsmouth, having previously played League football for South Shields. He played in the 1934 FA Cup Final side that lost to Manchester City in April 1934. After leaving Portsmouth in 1937, he joined Stockport County, where he played 36 times in four seasons (although his two appearances in 1939–40 were subsequently struck