Classic British novelist Charles Dickens turns 200 today, and a world of readers is celebrating, each in his or her own way. What’s happening to mark the occasion?
According to the BBC, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, and the Duchess of Cornwall laid a wreath in honor of the writer at Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey while actor Ralph Fiennes and Dr. Rowan Williams performed readings. The royal couple also visited the Charles Dickens Museum in London and examined first editions of Dickens novels.
At the location of the author’s birth in Portsmouth, Ian Dickens, great-great-grandson of the writer, spoke to a group of fellow Dickens relatives and readers. He said:
“I’m hugely proud to see how the work of my great, great grandfather continues to resonate with such strength and depth of feeling 200 years after his birth.”
The gathering hung a wreath to the writer and sang “Happy Birthday, dear Charlie.”
Google marked the occasion in the way it notes most special days – with a “Google Doodle.” The doodle depicts several of Dickens’s 19th century characters.
Meanwhile, readers around the world are commemorating the author’s 200th birthday by reading his work. An international marathon in 66 countries began in Australia with a reading of Dombey and Son and will conclude with The Mystery of Edwin Drood in the United Arab Emirates, according to the BBC.
Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth on February 7, 1812 and died in Kent at the age of 58 on June 9, 1870. In between, he wrote some of the world’s most beloved novels and short stories, including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol.
Happy 200th Birthday, Charles Dickens!
PHOTOS: Check out pictures from the UK celebrations of Charles Dickens here or at the left side of this page!
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