"that my name be inscribed in plain English letters on my tomb. I rest my claims to the remembrance of my country upon my published works..."
A small stone with a simple inscription, as dictated in his will, marks the grave of Charles Dickens, famous English novelist, in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey.
Born in Portsmouth, England, on February 7, 1812, Charles was the second of eight children of John Dickens and Elizabeth (Barrow). He spent most of his childhood in London. In 1824 his father was arrested for debt and young Charles had to work in a shoe-polish factory until he could resume his education. Later he became a legal clerk and then a reporter in the House of Commons. He married Catherine Hogarth in 1836, and they had ten children before separating in 1858. He started writing short stories at the age of 24 and continued to write until his death. His books brought attention to the poverty and social injustices of the working classes and poor people in hopes of bringing about social change.
Two prayers by Charles Dickens:
We humbly beseech thee O Father that we may be honest and true in all our dealings, and gentle and merciful to the faults of others, remembering of how much gentleness and mercy we stand in need ourselves; That we may earnestly try to live in thy true faith, honour and love, and in charity and goodwill with all our fellow creatures; That we may worship thee in every beautiful and wonderful thing thou hast made, and sympathize with the whole world of thy glorious creation. Amen.
Hear our supplications on behalf of the poor, the sick, the destitute, and guilty, and for thy blessing on the diffusion of increased happiness, knowledge, and comfort among the great mass of mankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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