Forster, John (1812–76), D’s closest and most trusted friend, adviser and negotiator from 1837, and his chosen biographer. Journalist, historian, man of letters, married 1856 Elizabeth Colburn, published Life of Charles Dickens in three volumes, 1872, 1873, 1874.
Fortescue, Julia (1817–99), actress, reared for stage by mother, breeches parts, admired for beauty by D, Maclise, Macready, who gave her work; distracted by Lord Gardner, a married aristocrat to whom she bore five children. Played in D’s theatricals 1845, 1848.
Frith, William Powell (1819–1909), artist commissioned by F to paint portrait of D in 1854, friend.
Gaskell, Elizabeth (1810–65), novelist, D thought highly of her Mary Barton (1849), she became frequent, favoured contributor to HW and AYR, resisted his attempts to change or cut her copy.
Gautier, Théophile (1811–72), poet visited by D in Paris 1847.
Goldsmith, Martha (1829–84), Berkshire girl, London prostitute, wanting to reform, taken into Miss Coutts’s Home 1848, sent to Australia 1849, married carpenter Geo. Hamilton in Melbourne 1851, settled life thereafter.
Gordon, Isabella, lively girl arrived at Miss Coutts’s Home early 1849, liked by D but ejected after nine months for trouble-making.
Graves, Caroline (?1830–95), widow, mistress of Wilkie Collins from 1858, and her daughter born 1851, known to D as ‘the Butler’.
Haldimand, William (1784–1862), wealthy philanthropist living Lausanne, met D 1846.
Hall, William (1800–1847), partner of Edward Chapman q.v. in bookselling and publishing business from 1830, signed up D in 1836 to write Pickwick. His tough financial dealings in 1844 led to D’s break with the firm.
Harley, John Pritt (1786–1858), ‘Fat Jack’, skinny London-born comic actor best known for Shakespearean clowns, in D’s The Strange Gentleman 1836, remained friend.
Holland, Baroness (Elizabeth Fox) (1771–1845), Whig hostess of Holland House, wife of Charles James Fox’s nephew; summoned D to her salon early in his career, late in hers. They appreciated one another, corresponded.
Hollingshead, John (1827–1904), journalist, wrote for D’s magazines from 1857, went on to theatre management.
Huffam, Christopher, Limehouse naval rigger, served in Napoleonic wars, godfather to D.
Hugo, Victor (1802–85), complimented D, who visited him at home in Paris 1846.
Hullah, John (1812–84), musician, composer, teacher, known to D through his sister Fanny, a fellow student at Royal College of Music. Wrote score for D’s The Village Coquettes.
Hunt, Leigh (1784–1859), poet, essayist, editor, imprisoned for insulting Prince Regent, D met 1839, friend, but satirized in Bleak House as Skimpole.
Irving, Washington (1783–1859), American writer, influenced D, friendship made during D’s visit to US withdrawn after he read American Notes and Martin Chuzzlewit.
Jeffrey, Francis, Lord (1773–1850), Scottish judge, critic, a founder and editor of the Edinburgh Review, lover of D’s work, friendship established 1841, third son named for him.
Jerrold, Douglas William (1803–57), playwright, humorist, journalist, friend from 1836. At Jerrold’s death D raised money for his family.
Joachim, Joseph (1831–1907), great Austrian violinist, played at Gad’s and at D’s last reception in 1870. D particularly liked his Tartini’s ‘Devil’s Trill’ Sonata.
Keeley, Robert (1793–1869), comic actor, gave D lessons 1832, managed Lyceum 1844–7, played Mrs Gamp, actress wife Mary Anne (1806–99) played Smike; son-in-law, Albert Smith, theatrical entrepreneur, q.v., also friend of D.
Kemble, Charles (1775–1854), actor, well known to D, as were his daughters, actress Fanny Kemble and singer Adelaide Kemble, later Sartoris.
Kent, Charles (1823–1902), writer and journalist, editor of liberal paper the Sun, devotee of D, contributor to his magazines from 1850.
Knowles, James Sheridan (1784–1862), playwright, D aimed to make him curator of Shakespeare House, Stratford. Used two of his play plots in writing Our Mutual Friend.
Kolle, Henry (?1808–81), bank clerk, friend of D from 1830 (also brother John), joined in early theatricals, D best man at wedding to Anne Beadnell. Friendship lapsed.
Lamartine, Alphonse de (1790–1869), writer, diplomat, liberal politician, briefly head of French government in 1848. D visited him in Paris 1847, 1856.
Landor, Walter Savage (1775–1864), poet, essayist, met D 1840, immediate rapport, D named second son for him.
Landseer, Edwin (1802–73), artist, known to D from the 1830s, as were his brothers Thomas, the engraver, and Charles, also an artist.
Layard, A. H. (1817–94), archaeologist, excavated Nineveh 1847, Liberal MP, D supported his Association for Administrative Reform 1855, well-established friendship.
Leech, John (1817–64), Londoner, Charterhouse, medical student, became painter, radical, associated with Punch. D met through Cruikshank 1836, close friendship, jaunts, family holidays together.
Lemon, Mark (1809–70), playwright, editor of Punch from 1841, acted with D, close family friend until 1858, when he negotiated for Catherine D’s settlement.
Lewes, G. H. (1817–78), writer, partner of George Eliot q.v., visited D 1838, thereafter occasional exchanges, contact, wrote critical obituary essay.
Linton, Eliza Lynn (1828–98), novelist, journalist, contributor from 1853 to HW and AYR, first met D at Landor’s 1849, sold him Gad’s Hill.
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth (1807–82), poet, met D in Boston 1842, immediate liking, visited D in London, 1842, and at Gad’s Hill 1868.
Maclise, Daniel (1806–70), Irish artist working in London, successful historical painter, ladies’ man, met D 1837, enthusiastic friendship but depressive, drifted apart during 1840s.
Macready, William Charles (1793–1883), intimate, much loved friend of D from 1837, leading actor, dedicatee Nicholas Nickleby, married [1] 1824 Catherine Atkins (1805–52), many children [2] 1860 Cecile Spencer (1837–?), one son. Acted with and assisted Mrs Ternan q.v.
Macrone, John (1809–37), D’s first publisher, friendship and contracts broken by D, but when Macrone died D raised money for widow and children.
Marryat, Captain Frederick (1792–1848), naval-officer-turned-author of novels, naval and children’s stories, including The Children of the New Forest.
Mathews, Charles (1776–1835), actor who inspired young D with his one-man shows, or monopolylogues, in which he impersonated a series of characters. D studied and imitated him, showing his influence in later readings.
Millais, John Everett (1829–96), artist attacked by D in 1850 in HW article, became friend 1855. Drew D’s face after his death.
Milnes, Richard Monckton, first Baron Houghton (1809–85), genial man of letters, politician, host, traveller, bon viveur, known to D from 1840. Married 1851 Annabella Crewe, granddaughter of Lord and Lady Crewe whose housekeeper was D’s grandmother.
Mitton, Thomas (1812–78), solicitor, son of Somers Town publican, met D 1827, did his legal business for many years, replaced by Ouvry q.v.
Molloy, Charles (?1796–1852), solicitor for whom D clerked in 1828, acted for D in negotiations with publisher Bentley 1837–8. Cut his own throat.
Morley, Henry (1822–94), writer on medical subjects, staff post on HW 1851–9, AYR 1859–68, sacked by D, became academic, taught English at University College London.
Morson, Mrs Georgiana (?–1880), doctor’s widow, matron of Miss Coutt’s Home from 1849 to 1854 when she remarried. A pearl. Other matrons were Mrs Holdsworth, Mrs Marchmont.
Mosley, Julia (1828–56), Gloucestershire tailor’s daughter, pickpocket, Tothill Fields prisoner taken into Miss Coutts’s Home 1847, to Australia 1848, married 1853 in Adelaide, one son died infancy.
Normanby, first Marquess (Constantine Henry Phipps) (1797–1863), Liberal politician, protégé of Melbourne, travel writer, novelist, dandy, D knew from 1840, British Ambassador Paris 1846–52, career in decline. Dombey is dedicated to his marchioness, Maria (1798–18
82), portrayed by Disraeli in Endymion as Lady Montfort.
Norton, Mrs Caroline, née Sheridan (1808–77), poet, novelist, writer on legal position of married women, involved in scandal when husband accused her of adultery with Lord Melbourne; she and sisters, Lady Seymour, Lady Dufferin, famous beauties, granddaughters of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Known to D from 1836. He also knew their brother Charles in 1847 at British Embassy in Paris.
Norton, Charles Eliot (1827–1908), critic, met D in Boston 1868, visited Gad’s same year.
Olliffe, Joseph (1808–69), Irish friend of Maclise, studied medicine in Paris, became physician to British Embassy, knew D from mid-1840s.
Ouvry, Frederic (1814–81), D’s solicitor from 1856, partner at Farrer’s at No. 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Overs, John (1808–44), London cabinet-maker and writer, advised and helped by Dickens from 1839.
Phelps, Samuel (1804–78), actor, theatre manager, ran Sadler’s Wells 1844–62, playing Shakespeare repertory, D knew from 1840s, wrote in praise of Sadler’s Wells 1851. Mrs Ternan acted with him 1850s.
Picken, Eleanor (1820–98), through Smithson family connection made friends with D at Broadstairs in 1840, wrote vivid account of experiences. Married naval officer Edward Christian 1842.
Pollard, Rhena (1836–99), Sussex girl, workhouse, prison at sixteen, entered Miss Coutts’s Home Aug. 1853, wanted to leave, persuaded to stay by D, doing well Feb. 1855, sent to Canada, wrote 1856 that she was married, settled life thereafter, children.
Régnier, François (1807–85), distinguished French actor, friend, correspondent of D.
Rogers, Samuel (1763–1855), poet, son of banker, generous, hospitable, from 1839 knew, admired, entertained D, who dedicated The Old Curiosity Shop to him.
Russell, Lord John, first Earl (1792–1878), Whig politician, introduced Reform Act 1832, reduced number of capital offences, Prime Minister 1846–52, 1865–6. D reported his early speeches, friend from 1846, dedicated A Tale of Two Cities to him.
Sala, George (1828–96), journalist, one of D’s circle of young men, working for HW from 1851. Wrote short biography of D.
Scribe, Eugène (1791–1861), writer of comedies and farces, D met in Paris 1847, entertained in London 1850, friendly exchanges again Paris 1856.
Shaftesbury, seventh Earl (Anthony Ashley Cooper) (1801–85), Whig philanthropist, put through reforms relating to causes also taken up by D, whom he met 1848.
Smith brothers: Albert (1816–60), theatrical entertainer, worked with D material from 1844; and Arthur (1825–61), D’s tour manager 1858, 1861.
Smith, Revd Sydney (1771–1845), wit, D visited, entertained, corresponded with from 1839, Smith admired Martin Chuzzlewit particularly. D’s fifth son named after him (and William Haldimand) 1847.
Smithson, Charles (1804–44), lawyer, partner of Mitton, acted for D 1838, married to sister of T. J. Thompson q.v., D godfather to daughter.
Stanfield, Clarkson (1793–1867), Catholic, child actor, pressed into Navy, became scene painter, admired marine artist. D met 1837, loved with unbroken affection, provided scenery for theatricals, Little Dorrit dedicated to him.
Stone, Frank (1800–1859), Manchester-born artist, close friend of D from 1838, walks, dinners, jaunts, acting together. Many Stone children liked and helped by D.
Stonnell, Mary Ann (?1832–?), worked with gang of thieves, prison sentence Coldbath Fields, one of first intake into Miss Coutts’s Home, left of her own accord, soon in prison again. D considered her incurable.
Talfourd, Sir Thomas Noon (1795–1854), radical lawyer, MP, playwright, friend of D from 1837, dedicatee of Pickwick Papers.
Tennent, Sir James, first Baronet (1804–69), politician, travel writer, fought in Greece 1824, met Byron, knew D through F, Macready. Our Mutual Friend dedicated to him.
Tennyson, Alfred, first Baron (1809–92), poet, in 1842 D wrote to him of ‘the love I bear you as a man whose writings enlist my whole heart and nature’, named fourth son for him (and D’Orsay), reciprocal affection, but Tennyson troubled by D’s sentimentality.
Thackeray, William Makepeace (1811–63), first met D 1836 when he applied to illustrate Pickwick Papers. Praised D’s work generously, but said his behaviour in 1858 was ‘a fatal story for our trade’. Edginess, fallings out, always underlying friendship. Daughter Annie Thackeray (1837–1919), friend of Mamie, Katey Dickens, frequent visitor to D’s home until 1858, left vivid reminiscences of him.
Thompson (or Maynard), Caroline (age unknown but born late 1820s), worked as prostitute to support herself and child, helped by D in 1854 when her brother approached him, emigrated 1856.
Thompson, John (1826–?70s), employed aged fourteen by D as coachman, remained as general servant twenty-six years. Married Hannah Manton 1852, two daughters, Emily, born 1854, Matilda Dorrit, born 1857, dismissed for theft 1866, D continued to assist financially.
Thompson, T. J. (1812–81), wealthy clubman, collector, traveller, friend of D from 1838, widower, married Christiana Weller q.v., settled in Italy.
Townshend, Chauncey Hare (1798–1868), rich, Cambridge-educated hypochondriac, met D 1840 through Elliotson, mesmerism; travelled abroad, dedicated poems to D, who dedicated Great Expectations to him, gave him manuscript – huge reward for foolish friend.
Tracey, Augustus (1798–1878), naval officer, then Governor of Tothill Fields Prison 1834–55, friend of D from 1841, worked with him from 1847 for Miss Coutts’s Home, recommending young women prisoners.
Trollope brothers: Thomas Adolphus (1810–92), writer, settled Florence 1834 with writer mother Frances, earned living by his pen, very much liked D, married [1] Theodosia Garrow (1825–65) [2] Frances Ternan q.v., who was introduced to him by D; Anthony (1815–82), novelist, friend, disliked D’s style, placed Thackeray, George Eliot above him, described him as a man ‘powerful, clever, humorous … very ignorant, and thick-skinned, who had taught himself to be his own God’.
Watson, Hon. Richard (1800–1852), and wife Lavinia (1816–88), met D Switzerland 1846, entertained him at Rockingham Castle, enthusiastic friends, dedicatees of David Copperfield.
Webster, Benjamin (1798–1882), actor, dramatist, manager, ran Adelphi Theatre from 1844, adapted and appeared in Cricket on the Hearth, lifelong friend; business partner and lover of Céline Céleste q.v.
Weller, Christiana (1825–1910), pianist, met D 1844, married T. J. Thompson q.v. 1845, settled in Italy (daughter was Alice Meynell). Her sister Anna, born 1830, married Fred Dickens in 1848, divorced him 1859.
Wiggin, Kate Douglas (1856–1923), American writer, met D on train in 1868, aged twelve, engaged him in conversation, charmed him, published her account 1912.
Wills, William Henry (1810–80), diligent assistant to D on Daily News, HW, AYR.
Yates, Edmund (1831–94), son of actors, journalist, met D 1854, friend, contributor, companion, at the circus with him two months before his death.
Prologue: The Inimitable
1840
14 January 1840, London. An inquest is being held at Marylebone Workhouse, a muddled complex of buildings spread over a large area between the Marylebone Road and Paddington Street. The Beadle, a parish officer responsible for persuading householders to do their duty as jurors at such inquests, has assembled twelve men. Most of them are middle-aged local tradesmen, but one stands out among them as different. He is young and slight, smartly dressed and good-looking, neither tall nor short at five foot nine inches, with dark hair falling in curls over his forehead and collar. He is a new resident who has just moved into a fine airy house with a large garden, close to Regent’s Park at York Gate: it is No. 1 Devonshire Terrace, from which the Beadle has made haste to summon him to his duty.
It is only a short walk from Devonshire Terrace to the workhouse, but it is a different world he has entered through its gates. He is directed to a room in which the other jurors are talking among themselves as they wait for the inquest to begin. They have come to pronounce on a case of suspected
infanticide, a servant girl accused of killing her newborn baby in the kitchen of her employers’ house. One of the jurors immediately declares himself in favour of the utmost rigour of the law being applied to the young woman. The new young juror recognizes him as a furniture-dealer he suspects of cheating him over the recent purchase of a pair of card tables. Another solid parishioner presses his card into his hand, murmuring that he hopes to be of service to him in the future: he is an undertaker.
Before they can settle down for the inquest the jurors must be taken downstairs to the workhouse mortuary in the basement to be shown the body of the baby. It is lying on a box set upon a clean white cloth, with a surgical instrument beside it that has been used to open it up for examination. The baby has been sewn up again. The new juror, who has a two-month-old baby daughter of his own at home – Katey – reflects that it looks as though the cloth were laid and the Giant coming to dinner, but he does not share this thought with his fellow jurors. They agree among themselves that the mortuary is clean and well whitewashed, the foreman says, ‘All right, gentlemen? Back again, Mr Beadle,’ and they troop upstairs. The coroner is Thomas Wakley, a surgeon and until recently a Member of Parliament. The new juror is Charles Dickens.
Now the young woman accused of murder is brought in by one of the workhouse nurses. She looks weak, ill and frightened. She is allowed to sit in one of the horsehair chairs and tries to hide her face on the shoulder of the unsympathetic nurse. Eliza Burgess is twenty-four or five years old, a maid of all work and an orphan, which may be why there is uncertainty about her age. It is likely that she grew up in a workhouse, quite possibly this one. Her story is that on Sunday, 5 January, she went into labour in the kitchen of her employers’ house, No. 65 Edgware Road, where she was the only servant. When the front doorbell rang, she hurried upstairs to let in two lady visitors, and by the time she got back to the kitchen the baby – a boy – had been born under her skirts and appeared to be dead. It is not clear whether the birth took place on the stairs, but she delivered him herself, and must have cut the umbilical cord and cleaned up as best she could. Then she found a box, or a pot, in which she placed the dead newborn child and hid him under the dresser. Her mistress, Mrs Mary Symmons, sent her up to scrub the front-door steps in the cold after her guests left, and then, seeing how ill and thin she looked, taxed her with having given birth. At first she denied it, but then, being threatened with a medical examination, confessed and showed Mrs Symmons where she had put the baby. Mrs Symmons sent for a hackney coach to remove Eliza and her dead child from her house to the Marylebone Workhouse infirmary.
Charles Dickens: A Life Page 3