The Charles Dickens Museum celebrates its centenary with exceptional exhibition

The history of the museum is, in itself, an epic of cultural preservation. A century ago, in 1925, the house was On the edge of demolition. But the fervor of Dickens’ fans saved her, transforming her into a museum dedicated to the author’s life and work. «I can’t help thinking that he would have appreciated that the house he first rented in London, in which he brought his young wife and in which they were born Oliver Twist And Wackford Squeers, would be forever accessible to the fans of his genius, ”he proclaimed Lord BirkenheadBritish politician, lawyer and writer, admirer of Dickens and a key figure in preserving his legacy, during the inauguration of the museum.

Centennial exposure brings unpublished treasures that reveal the most intimate and multifaceted dickens. Among the most notable objects is a handwritten draft of the infam A public figure exposed with such clarity and forcefulness details of his private life. Dickens spoke of his marriage life “in a public act by publishing it in his magazine Household Words, telling the world about his breakup,” explains the curator Emma Harper. “At that time it was a controversial movement,” but he “was one of the first celebrities and wanted to control the narrative.”

Dickens and Catherine Hogarth Dickens They were married for more than 20 years and had ten children. However, his marriage progressively deteriorated, partly due to the immense workload of the writer, to his growing dissatisfaction with domestic life and, as his relationship with Ellen Ternanan actress much younger than him. In the Dickens letter he defended himself from the rumors that circulated, denied any inappropriate relationship with another woman and blamed third parties of spreading slander about her private life. The letter, which continues to generate a lot of curiosity, was seen as a public humiliation for his wife and daughter Kate Dickens He described the situation as an injustice towards his mother and said that his father had been cruel in his deal with her.

In addition to this statement, in the exhibition you can also admire for the first time a sketch to chalk and Dickens cake, which is believed was the study for the author’s third lost portrait, conducted by Samuel Laurence. This portrait, whose existence is known but whose whereabouts is a mystery, acquires a special relevance in the exhibition, which seeks to reconstruct the image of the novelist in its different vital stages.

Another surprising object is a copy of ‘David Copperfield’ that traveled to Antarctica with the 1910 expedition of the Captain Robert Falcon Scott. Cattered in an ice cave, the explorers read one chapter every night for 60 days, which left in the book with traces blackened by the soot of the lamps fed fat. “It’s a microcosm in history,” Harper told the press. “The fact that they chose a Dickens book to carry on his journey shows how his legacy was already firmly settled 40 years after his death.”

The exhibition will also exhibit unpublished manuscripts, as an extract of ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’ that describes the death of the unforgettable Little Nell, as well as personal letters and Dic Methful Love Poems to his first love, Maria Beadnell. «Some of these poems are good; Others, quite mediocre, ”admits Harper. But «it is lovely to imagine a young Dickens writing verses for his crush. It is not the Dickens that we know, the literary genius, but a teenager expressing his feelings ».

Of course, the exhibition would not be complete without the writer’s personal objects. Visitors can admire their desk, where iconic novels such as ‘were born’Great hopes‘,’History of two cities‘ and ‘Our common friend‘. It will also expose its only preserved suit, its ride and even its hair brush, which offer a look at the daily life of man behind the myth.

This centenary is not only a museum celebration, but also a moment of transition in its direction. Cindy Sughruewho has led the institution for almost a decade, will leave its position in March. “It has been an honor to direct this wonderful museum over almost ten years of development,” Sughrue said. “We have ensured important acquisitions, expanded our educational program and significantly increased the number of visitors, despite the challenges of the pandemic.” Your successor, Frankie Kubickiwho has worked at the museum for eight years and currently occupies the position of deputy director, will take the reins after leaving.

The exhibition ‘DICKENS IN Doughty Street: 100 Years of The Charles Dickens Museum‘It promises to be an unmissable event for literature lovers. Through original manuscripts, portraits and personal objects, visitors can rediscover the novelist dickens, man dickens and dickens cultural phenomenon. In Harper’s words, “it is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in history and see Dickens not only as a writer, but as a figure that continues to resonate in our time.”