CHARLES DICKENS, born at Landport (Portsea), near Portsmouth, in 1812. From the humblest beginnings became a parliamentary reporter, and so entered journalism. Went to America in 1842 and 1867-8, and to Italy in 1844. First editor of the Daily News, 1846. Founded Household Words (later restarted as All the Year Round) in 1849. Died at Gad’s Hill, Kent, on 9th June 1870.