Charles Dickens was an English novelist, considered by many to be one of the most important literary figures of all time. He is best known for his highly imaginative and engaging plots, realistic yet colorful characters and vivid descriptions of everyday life in Victorian London. Dickens was born on February 7th, 1812 in Portsmouth, England, to a family of modest means. At the age of twelve he was taken out of school to work in a factory, a grossly unjust occurrence for a young boy at the time. This experience would later provide important material for his novels. Dickenss writing style is famously characterized by its social-realism and vivid evocations of daily life in Victorian England. Through his novels, Dickens explored the problems of poverty, ignorance, and the unkindness of the social world. His characters were often complex and multifaceted, displaying traits of both virtue and depravity, revealing the flawed yet sympathetic nature of human behaviour. Sweeping tales of love, tragedy, hope, and redemption dominate his greatest works. These include Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol. All of Dickens books captured his time period in detail and provided vivid accounts of everyday life throughout the early 19th century. Through his works, Dickens strived to call attention to the injustices of his day, which can be seen in his criticism of Victorian era social reform, educational systems, and economic inequality. He is often viewed as an advocate for the poor, the neglected, and the socially oppressed. Charles Dickens is remembered for his lion-hearted spirit, his vigorous criticism of inequality and the powerful realism of his writing. His works have long been appreciated for the humanity of their characters and universally celebrated for their unique combination of wit and pathos.