Charles Dickens Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the 20th century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are still widely read today. Born in Portsmouth, Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of
William Cavendish (English politician, born 1783) He had been visiting his father's seat and was returning from a shooting excursion with his brother Charles and his college tutor named Rev. Mr. Smith. The reigns broke and William attempted to recover them when he was thrown and instantly killed. Charles was not injured but Smith suffered a broken rib. His father was subsequently created Earl of Burlington in 1831, a title which passed to William's son William, who also succeeded as Duke of Devonshire. William Cavendish (English politician, born 1783) Hon. William Cavendish MP (10 January 1783 – 14 January 1812) was an English nobleman and Whig