Charles Dickens' 200th Anniversary Celebrated in London

Posted on February 7, 2012

Charles Dickens was born 200 years ago on February 7, 1812 in Landport, England. Dickens began his career as a journalist, but was best known for his novels about Victorian London, which included A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two CIties.

The Telegraph reports that a service for Charles Dickens was held at Westminster Abbey. Wreaths were laid at Dickens' grave in Poets' Corner. The Prince of Wales attended the ceremony. He called Dickens, "one of the greatest writers of the English language." Actor Ralph Fiennes, who will star in a film version of Great Expectations, read from Dickens' novel Bleak House.

A joint celebration was held at St Mary's Church in Portsmouth, the city where Dickens was born. Google also honored British author Charles Dickens with a special Google Doodle today.

You can find out more about Charles Dickens on the Charles Dickens Page, the Charles Dickens Museum website and on Wikipedia.

Image: Google