Dickensblog

Dickens's 'Legal London'

Londonist reports, "Dickens would readily recognise the street-plan of London, but he would be dumbfounded by the reconstruction of so many of the houses, the shops and the commercial properties that characterised the areas he knew best. The one area of central London that remains substantially intact, and which Dickens commonly describes in his novels, is what we sometimes call 'Legal London'." Go here to read the full article, which ties in with the "Restless Shadow" exhibit currently at the Dickens Museum. 

Dickens the 'Restless Shadow'

Kent Online reports on what sounds like an intriguing exhibition at the Dickens Museum, "Restless Shadow: Dickens the Campaigner," which "follows in the footsteps of Dickens as he pounded the streets of London to make himself aware of the terrible conditions, injustices and hardships faced by the poorest people in society." More information on the exhibition, which opens this week, is available at the museum's website.

When Dickens saved Shakespeare

. . . or rather, Shakespeare's birthplace. The house where the Bard was born will host a new exhibition about how a group of Englishmen kept P.T. Barnum from buying the house and shipping it to America, by buying it themselves. The Guardian reports that, when it looked like the fundraising might not meet its goal in time, "Dickens threw himself into the campaign, organising readings and benefit performances of Shakespeare works, and almost doubled the fund."

Clothes make the man

The only surviving clothing known to have been worn by Charles Dickens, a suit that he wore when he was introduced to the Prince of Wales, is going on permanent display at the Dickens Museum. The Belfast Telegraph has a video!

A Dickens display

Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, has been given some Dickens first editions by an alumnus. The books will be on display for students and the public all semester. 

Mark Dickens on the Dickens Museum

Mark Dickens, great-great-grandson of Charles, has written a piece for the Dickens Museum website on his feelings about the house where his ancestor lived. Click here to read!

'A Christmas Carol' candle

If you feel like doing a bit of Dickensian decorating, check out this cool candle!

A Dickensian Halloween

In honor of the day, Digital Journal discusses some of Dickens's ghost stories, and reports on actor Dominc Gerrard's reading of them at the Charles Dickens Museum. And at Anglotopia, Bryan Kozlowski shares with us "Charles Dickens' Top Five Horrible Words for Halloween."

(H/T The Buzfuz)

'A Dickensian Alphabet' poster

This delightful poster by Tom Gauld, full of Dickensian figures and tropes, is a limited edition, so if you're interested, better hurry! (Another edition is scheduled for release later this year.)

News on Dickens's descendants

• Cedric Dickens, a great-grandson of Charles, would have turned 100 on September 24, and he's getting a party! Cedric's daughter Jane Monk has completed the memoir her father left unfinished when he died in 2006. The book, My Life, will have its official U.S. launch October 22 (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) at the Union League in Philadelphia, sponsored by Frank Giordano of the Philadelphia Pickwick Club. RSVP to Rick Bravo at ribravo55 AT verizon DOT net (you know the drill) if you'd like to go! (H/T The Buzfuz.)
• Great-great-great-grandson Ian Dickens recently became a volunteer with Beanstalk, a child literacy charity. In this interview, he talks about how his ancestor's legacy -- not just as a writer, but also as a performer -- helps him teach children to read.