Charles Dickens at the V&A

Books, manuscripts, correspondence, illustrations, pictures and other objects relating to Charles Dickens's life and works can be found in many parts of the V&A. The single largest group of group of material came to the Museum as part of the Forster Collection, bequeathed by the author's friend and biographer, John Forster (1812-1876). The Forster Collection includes the manuscripts of most of Dickens's major novels, as well as autograph letters, printers' proofs and first editions. The Museum also holds many portraits of the author, plus numerous prints, drawings and paintings that feature characters from his works.

Portrait of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens, carte-de-visite, Charlet & Jacotin, about 1860, albumen print. Museum no. 381-1943
Portrait of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens, carte-de-visite, John & Charles Watkins, 19th century. Museum no. 482-1956
Portrait of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens, carte-de-visite, J & C Watkins, 19th century. Museum no. 1712:21-1956
Print depicting Charles Dickens

Print depicting Charles Dickens by George Cruikshank, 1879, published by Frank Kerslake. Museum no. S.2621-2009
Print depicting Charles Dickens

Print depicting Charles Dickens, artist unknown, 19th century. Museum no. S.2627-2009
Photograph of Charles Dickens

Photograph of Charles Dickens, artist unknown, 19th century. Museum no. 38-1960
Print depicting Charles Dickens as Bobadill in Every Man in his Humour

Print depicting Charles Dickens as Bobadill in Every Man in his Humour, published by J. Mitchell, about 1845. Museum no. S.2628-2009
Print depicting Charles Dickens as Sir Charles Coldstream in Used Up

Print depicting Charles Dickens as Sir Charles Coldstream in Used Up, Augustus Leopold Egg, about 1850. Museum no. S.2629-2009
Poster advertising the double bill Not So Bad As We Seem, or, Many Sides To a Character by Edward Bulwer Lytton, and Mr. Nightingale's Diary by Charles Dickens

Poster advertising the double bill Not So Bad As We Seem, or, Many Sides To a Character by Edward Bulwer Lytton, and Mr. Nightingale's Diary, produced and directed by Charles Dickens, Manchester, 1852. Museum no. S.633-2010. Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Charles Dickens's pen case

Pen case, Charles Dickens, 1830, wood and brass. Museum no. W.37-1938. Given by the executors of Mr. E.V.Lucas
Charles Dickens and his daughters

Charles Dickens and his daughters, Marton & Co., 19th century. Museum no. 3201-1955
Studio portrait of Miss E. Ternan

Studio portrait of Miss E. Ternan, 19th century. Museum no. S.145:190-2007
Charles Dickens, his wife, nee Catherine Thomson Hogarth and his wife's sister Miss Georgina Hogarth

Charles Dickens, his wife, nee Catherine Thomson Hogarth and his wife's sister Miss Georgina Hogarth, Daniel Maclise, 1842, graphite on paper. Museum no. F.76
Charles Dickens reading The Chimes to his friends in John Foster's chambers

Charles Dickens reading The Chimes to his friends in John Foster's chambers, Daniel Maclise, 1844, pencil drawing. Museum no. F.74. Bequeathed by John Forster
The grave of Charles Dickens

The grave of Charles Dickens, Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey, London, Sir Luke Fildes, 1873, watercolour. Museum no. F.62
Pencil drawing of Charles Dickens

Portrait of Charles Dickens, George Cruikshank, late 1830s, pencil. Museum no. 9995C