On the  cold frosty morning of February 12, 1812, Charles John Huffman Dickens came into the world in Portsmouth England . He was the second of eight children and first son born to John and Elizabeth Dickens. Dickens’ father was a clerk in the Navy Pay Office. He was a poor manager of money. These circumstances led the impoverished family to London in 1822  where they settled in a poor neighborhood, Camden Town. Charles' father was imprisoned in the Marshalsea debtor’s prison in 1824. Charles, as the eldest boy, was forced to leave school and work in a warehouse, to help support his family. This was the defining moment of young Charles' life. His first hand experience with working class poverty would make him a voice for reform in England.

Although young Charles had aspired to be an actor, his life took a different creative direction. Following his father’s release from prison, Charles finished his formal education and worked as an office boy in a law office. Shortly after, he worked as a parliamentary and newspaper reporter. In 1833 he began contributing short stories to periodicals. It is interesting to note that he was the first author to present his work as monthly installments. In 1834, as he continued to write, he adopted the pseudonym of Boz. His novels were instantly successful, concerned with poverty, childhood labor and other social issues of the times. There was always a moral lesson with a light at the end of the tunnel. Charles was known for his exercise of walking  to calm himself and his interaction with his fictional characters. In 1836 he married Catherine Hogarth. They had ten children but separated in 1858. He never remarried but had several love interests. Charles Dickens died June 9, 1870 following a stroke. At the time of his death he was the most famous author of the Victorian era. He is interred in the Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey.

Fast forward 200 years to meet Jim and Tracey Greene who own the Dryden Theater production company, Scarlet Rat Entertainment. For over twenty years Jim  has portrayed Charles Dickens in the Skaneateles Dickens Christmas Festival. It is interesting that, as an actor, Jim is doing what Charles had wanted to do. In Skaneateles,  Jim introduces Dickens in the noted story, A Christmas Carol. The premise of the story is that Dickens visits Skaneateles in 1842 where he meets Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. Jim is not only impressed with Dickens’ literary skills but especially his work with social reform. His portrayal of Charles Dickens is that of an intelligent, creative, immensely popular author who seeks the best in people whatever their walk in life. Both the author and the actor would agree on the quote from the Christmas Carol, “There is nothing in the world as irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”

God  bless us everyone!