A tale of one city: Dickensian London | CNN

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A tale of one city: Dickensian London

Updated 9:05 AM EST, Tue February 7, 2012
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Dickens once lodged near York Water Gate and the Adelphi on the Thames River in central London, calling it a 'mysterious place.'
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
Dickens once lodged near York Water Gate and the Adelphi on the Thames River in central London, calling it a 'mysterious place.'
In Dickens' day, Covent Garden was a proper working market, rather than the touristy shopping area it is today.
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
In Dickens' day, Covent Garden was a proper working market, rather than the touristy shopping area it is today.
The blacking factory at Hungerford Stairs, where Dickens worked, became the inspiration for Murdstone and Grinby's in David Copperfield -- a place he described as "a crazy old house ... literally overrun with rats."
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
The blacking factory at Hungerford Stairs, where Dickens worked, became the inspiration for Murdstone and Grinby's in David Copperfield -- a place he described as "a crazy old house ... literally overrun with rats."
As a boy, Dickens frequented "pudding shops" near the warren of small alleys and lanes south of St Martin's-in-the-Fields in central London.
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
As a boy, Dickens frequented "pudding shops" near the warren of small alleys and lanes south of St Martin's-in-the-Fields in central London.
The Oxford Arms inn, demolished in 1876, was typical of the "ancient hostelries" that had "degenerated into little more than the abiding and booking-places of country wagons," according to Dickens.
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
The Oxford Arms inn, demolished in 1876, was typical of the "ancient hostelries" that had "degenerated into little more than the abiding and booking-places of country wagons," according to Dickens.
Dickens' work often focused on extreme poverty; here, a photo from an 1877 book on London street life shows a destitute mother sitting with her infant on stone steps.
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
Dickens' work often focused on extreme poverty; here, a photo from an 1877 book on London street life shows a destitute mother sitting with her infant on stone steps.
Charles Dickens is depicted by by Robert William Buss sleeping in his study at Gad's Hill Place, Higham, Kent in 1875.
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
Charles Dickens is depicted by by Robert William Buss sleeping in his study at Gad's Hill Place, Higham, Kent in 1875.
Dickens with his daughters Mary and Kate in the garden at Gad's Hill Place, 1865
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
Dickens with his daughters Mary and Kate in the garden at Gad's Hill Place, 1865
An exhibition at the Museum of London features the desk that Dickens wrote at.
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
An exhibition at the Museum of London features the desk that Dickens wrote at.
Charles Dickens's chair, at which he wrote "A Tale of Two Cities." Dickens was photographed at this chair several times around 1859. The chair carries a silver plate engraved with its history.
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
Charles Dickens's chair, at which he wrote "A Tale of Two Cities." Dickens was photographed at this chair several times around 1859. The chair carries a silver plate engraved with its history.
First edition of "Bleak House," the ninth novel by Charles Dickens, published in 20 monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853. It is held to be one of Dickens's finest novels.
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
First edition of "Bleak House," the ninth novel by Charles Dickens, published in 20 monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853. It is held to be one of Dickens's finest novels.
Bank cheque signed by Charles Dickens
A tale of one city: Dickensian London —
Bank cheque signed by Charles Dickens
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