Charles Dickens was born in 1812 in Portsmouth, England and died in 1870. He had a difficult childhood, being forced to leave school at a young age to work in a blacking factory due to his father's debts. Dickens went on to become one of the most famous authors of the Victorian era, writing many classic novels that brought social issues to light such as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. His works were greatly influenced by his own experiences with poverty and criticized the injustices of 19th century English society. Dickens married Catherine Hogart and had 10 children, though he may have had other romantic relationships as well.