Charles Dickens (1812-70) was the son of navy pay clerk who spent some years working in a black workhouse after his father was imprisoned for debt. These experiences influenced his writings and he exposed many of the horrors of the time, often carrying out undercover work beforehand.
Dickens first visit to Liverpool was in 1842 when he stayed at the Adelphi Hotel before he boarded the Britannia at coburg Dock for a 6 month tour of America and Canada. The first chapter of American Notes deals with the voyage. In 1844 he was invited to chair the annual Christmas Soiree at the Mechanics Institute. during this visit he studied the characteristics of Liverpool people in Whitechapel.
Dickens was keen on amateur dramatics and organised a company which performed Every Man in His Humour at the Theatre Royal, appearing as Captain Bobadil. A year later he appeared at the Amphitheatre performing The Merry Wives of Windsor and Love, Law and Physic. His final theatrical performances were in 1852 when Many Sides to a Character and Mr Nightingale's Diary were staged on successive nights at the Philharmonic.
The Philharmonic was also the setting for Dickens first readings of his novels in Liverpool. In 1858 he read from Little Dombey, The Poor Traveller, Boots at the Holly Tree Inn, Mrs Gamp and Christmas Carol before a crowd of 2,300. Several more readings took place at St Georges Hall in the 1860s, Dickens insisting on an
entrance fee of just 1d so all classes could attend.
Dickens last visit to Liverpool was in 1869, when he was made honorary member of the Literary and Philosophical Society. A public banquet was held in his honour at the Town Hall and as was custom, he gave readings at St Georges Hall.
On his visits to Liverpool Dickens ususally stayed at the Adelphi hotel (not the present structure), which he considered to be the best in the world. He also liked to roam the docks to speak to sailors. In The Uncommercial Traveller he deals with the land sharks of the port and with his visit to the workhouse in Brownlow Hill where he came across appalling treatment meted out to expired soldiers returning home from India.
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