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Celebrating a Century: The Charles Dickens Museum’s 100th Anniversary Exhibition

In 1925, the home where Charles Dickens lived in London was spared from demolition and transformed into the Charles Dickens Museum. This venue on Doughty Street is dedicated to preserving the legacy of one of the most influential authors of the 19th century. In celebration of its centenary, the museum is unveiling a new exhibition that showcases an impressive array of rare books, letters, artworks, and various artifacts associated with Dickens.

During his time at Doughty Street, Dickens composed portions of several renowned novels, including The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, and Oliver Twist. The anniversary exhibition will highlight rare portraits, photographs, and other historic items that reflect both Dickens’ life and his literary achievements.

As Cindy Sughrue, the museum’s director, explains, “Gathered together over the past century and displayed in Dickens’ only surviving house in London, the museum in Doughty Street will offer a rich array of objects that illuminate both Dickens’ life and the institution’s story.” This sentiment emphasizes the museum’s role as a crucial site for understanding the author’s impact.

Among the fascinating items on display is a rare edition of David Copperfield, which joined Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s infamous 1910 Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica. This particular book provided entertainment to the explorers in perilous circumstances. During a difficult stint trapped in an ice cave, the crew read one chapter each night for two months, with the book showcasing their struggle, marked by “blackened” pages from the seal blubber fire used for warmth.

The exhibition will also feature contributions from artists who illustrated Dickens’ works, such as Hablot Knight Browne, John Leech, and George Cruikshank. Attendees can also expect to view early sketches for the first edition of A Christmas Carol.

In addition to these artistic highlights, the exhibition will offer a rare glimpse into Dickens’ formative years. According to Jo Lawson-Tancred from Artnet, the exhibition features images depicting a youthful Dickens, contrasting the more common portrayals of him in his later years. An important painting by Margaret Gillies that was lost for over a century captures the fresh-faced author in his youth, alongside previously unseen love poems from his early life.

Emma Harper, the exhibition’s curator, points out that while some of the poetry might lack polish, it amusingly reflects a young man’s infatuation, offering a personal view of the man beyond the literary genius known today. “You wouldn’t necessarily recognize it as from the genius of Victorian writing,” says Harper.

Excerpts from Dickens’ letters will further enrich the experience, including an early draft of a significant note regarding the conclusion of his marriage. The exhibition promises to present a well-rounded portrayal of Dickens, encompassing his personal interests, passions, and correspondence.

The exhibition titled Dickens in Doughty Street: 100 Years of the Charles Dickens Museum will be available for visitors from February 5 to June 29, 2025, providing a unique opportunity to explore the life of one of literature’s greats within the context of his own surroundings.

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www.smithsonianmag.com