Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic who is widely regarded as one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the 20th century critics and scholars had recognized him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories continue to be widely popular today. Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England in 1812. He was the second of eight children and his family moved to London when he was 10. He worked in a factory at the age of 12 and later became a journalist. His first novel, The Pickwick Papers, was published in 1836 and was an instant success. He went on to write many more novels, including Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, and A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens was a passionate social reformer and his works often reflected his views on poverty, injustice, and social inequality. He was a strong advocate for the rights of the poor and campaigned for better working conditions and education for children. He was also a vocal critic of the British class system and the Victorian era's rigid social hierarchy. Dickens' works have been adapted into numerous films, plays, and television series. His influence on literature and culture is still felt today and his works remain some of the most widely read and beloved books in the world.