Charles Dickens was a writer.
Charles John Huffam Dickens ( [ ˈdɪkᵻnz ] 7 February 1812 -- 9 June 1870 ) was an English writer and social critic . He created some of the world 's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era . Despite his lack of formal education , he edited a weekly journal for 20 years , wrote 15 novels , five novellas , hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles , lectured and performed extensively , was an indefatigable letter writer , and campaigned vigorously for children 's rights , education , and other social reforms . His 1859 novel , A Tale of Two Cities , set in London and Paris , is his best-known work of historical fiction .