A major exhibition entitled Dickens and London opened today at the Museum of London, the first of many events scheduled throughout Great Britain in 2012 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of author Charles Dickens.
The novelist (born February 7, 1812, died June 9, 1870) used his childhood tribulations and near-photographic memory to people works like Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, The Old Curiosity Shop and A Christmas Carol with unforgettable characters and explore the great social questions of Victorian England. Extremely popular in his lifetime, Dickens’ books have never been out of print.
The Museum of London exhibit includes paintings, photographs, period objects and several rare, handwritten manuscripts that offer clues to Dickens’ genius.
Dickens was an insomniac who roamed the streets of London at night, gathering inspiration for his stories from the people and places he saw. The exhibit recreates the haunting ambience of Victorian London through innovative sound and projections. A specially-commissioned film by documentary filmmaker William Raban explores similarities between night time London then and now.
Coinciding with the exhibit’s opening, the museum has launched a new iPhone and iPad app called Dark London, an interactive graphic novel by illustrator David Foldvari, that follows Dickens on his night walks through London.
The exhibit will be up until June 10, 2012. Tickets are available online at the Museum of London website.
For more on events commemorating the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, see the Charles Dickens Museum London and Visit London. The Guardian also offers excellent coverage on Charles Dickens at 200, including news, reviews and audio tours.
Did you know? Charles Dickens visited Toronto in 1842, describing the city in his book American Notes as "full of life and motion". For more on Dickens bicentenary 2012, read this article in the Toronto Star.
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