Charles Dickens and Georgina Hogarth - by Christine Skelton (Hardcover)

About the Book

Tells the remarkable story of Charles Dickens' relationship with his sister-in-law, his 'best and truest friend' Georgina Hogarth, who came to live with the Dickenses aged fifteen, and continued to live with Charles after they divorced.

Book Synopsis

Tells the remarkable story of Charles Dickens' relationship with his sister-in-law, his 'best and truest friend' Georgina Hogarth, who came to live with the Dickenses aged fifteen, and continued to live with Charles after they divorced.

From the Back Cover

Charles Dickens called Georgina Hogarth his 'best and truest friend'. They lived together for twenty-eight years, during which time their relationship constantly changed.

The sister of his wife Catherine, the sharp and witty Georgina moved into the Dickens home aged fifteen. Dickens named Georgina 'my little right hand', and what began as a father-daughter relationship blossomed into a more equal and genuine rapport. However, the family was fractured when Dickens had a mid-life crisis and determined to rid himself of Catherine. Georgina's refusal to leave Dickens and his desire for her to remain in his household led to rumours of an affair and even illegitimate children. He went on to leave her the equivalent of a million pounds and all his personal papers in his will.

Why did Georgina betray her once much-loved sister? Why did she fall out with her family and risk her reputation in order to stay with Dickens? And why did the Dickenses' daughter, Katey, say it was 'the greatest mistake ever' to invite a sister-in-law to live with a family? This book explores Georgina's unwavering commitment to Dickens and investigates what he did to deserve such loyalty.

Review Quotes

'Essential for anyone interested in Charles Dickens's personal life. Christine Skelton's thoroughly researched and brilliantly written book fills in a missing piece of the jigsaw. It makes for enthralling reading.'
Jenny Hartley, author of Charles Dickens and the house of fallen women and Charles Dickens: A very short introduction

'Georgina Hogarth has been given a voice at last! Christine Skelton has done an admirable job of bringing 'aunty Georgy" out of the shadow of her celebrity brother-in-law. This is an engaging biography that takes the reader into the heart of one of Victorian Britain's most famous homes.'
Lucinda Hawksley, author, biographer, and great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens

'A major, and much-needed, contribution to our knowledge and understanding of both the private and the professional life of our greatest novelist.'
Professor Michael Slater, author of The Great Charles Dickens Scandal and Dickens and Women

About the Author

Christine Skelton is Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Birmingham.