February 7, 2012 marks the bicentenary of Charles Dickens.
According to a literary exhibit at Southern Methodist University, this Victorian author “was born February 7, 1812, and wrote more than 34 major novels until his death on June 9, 1870. Two hundred years after his birth, his literary legacy remains unparalleled. His 19,000 published editions ranks behind only the King James Bible and Shakespeare in number of editions published.”
From the exhibit catalog: “The world loves Charles Dickens because Charles Dickens loved the world. He was a man who would today describe an automobile ride with the same gusto as he described a mail coach ride; a broad minded man whose religion and philosophy embraced all of mankind, not merely the Englishman; a man who believed that foreigner and countryman were both works of the same Divine Creator; a man who believed and taught that all men were brothers. Although considered a Victorian, he was actually a man that transcended time periods. This is why the star of Dickens does not show any signs of waning.”
His books remain topsellers in the age of the Kindle.
Explore the myriad ways you can experience this great literature at JSRCC libraries- print books, online books, downloadable audio books, videos, streaming videos, and more!
