Charles Dickens (b. 1812) was a British author, journalist, and social commentator who wrote the beloved classics Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. His books were first published in monthly serial installments, which became a lucrative source of income following a childhood of abject poverty. His 15 novels, in their stark portraits of poor and working class people in the Victorian era, helped to bring about social change. Dickens died in June, 1870 at age 58, and is remembered as one of the most important and influential writers of the 19th century.

Tom Butler-Bowdon is editor of the Capstone Classics series and has written introductions to Plato's Republic, Epictetus's Discourses, Machiavelli's The Prince, and Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations. A graduate of the London School of Economics, he is also the author of 50 Philosophy Classics, 50 Politics Classics, and 50 Psychology Classics.

www.butler-bowdon.com