Born in Portsmouth in 1812, Dickens spent happiest childhood in Chatham. Family faced financial difficulties, father went to prison in 1824. Worked as clerk, reporter, and parliamentary journalist. His experiences shaped his understanding of working class life
Victorian era lasted from 1820 to 1914, named after Queen Victoria. Society was hierarchical, organized by gender and class. Working class comprised 70-80% of population, middle class grew to 25%. British Empire expanded significantly between 1820 and 1914
Post-mortem photography emerged with the invention of daguerreotype in 1839. Initially restricted to upper classes, it became accessible to middle class. Long exposure times made deceased subjects easily photographed. Carte de visite allowed multiple prints from single negative
Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel published in London. Written between 1895 and 1897 using extensive notes. Stoker found name "Dracula" in Whitby's public library
Dorian Gray is an aristocratic Victorian man, grandson of Lord Kelso. His mother Lady Margaret married below her class without father's consent. Lord Kelso raised Dorian until his death, with mutual dislike
Jane Austen wrote six novels exploring romance, comedy, and family issues. William Shakespeare created famous plays including Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. Geoffrey Chaucer authored Canterbury Tales, considered the Father of English Poetry. Daniel Defoe wrote over 300 works, including Robinson Crusoe