Charles Dickens: A People's Person – Now at Islington Library

I’m absolutely thrilled to share that my book, Charles Dickens: A People’s Person, is now available for loan through the Islington Library Online Catalogue. For me, this is more than just a milestone—it’s a heartwarming full-circle moment, as libraries have always been places of inspiration, learning, and discovery in my life.

This book has been a long time in the making. As a historian and tourist guide based in London, I’ve spent countless hours walking the same streets that Charles Dickens once did, sharing his story with people from all over the world. Over the years, I developed detailed scripts for my guided walks, weaving together anecdotes, social history, and literary insight. It was from these scripts, and my lifelong fascination with Dickens, that the idea for this book was born.

Charles Dickens: A People’s Person is not just a biography—it’s a portrait of a man deeply shaped by the world around him. From his difficult childhood, marked by poverty and a stint in a blacking factory, to his rise as a literary icon with an unshakable commitment to social justice, Dickens’ life was nothing short of extraordinary. I’ve tried to explore how his personal experiences and the vibrant, often harsh Victorian society he lived in influenced his writing, characters, and views.

What sets Dickens apart, and what I hoped to highlight in the book, is how attuned he was to the lives of everyday people. He gave voice to the voiceless, highlighted the struggles of the poor and working classes, and championed reform through his novels and journalism. His stories continue to resonate because they’re about real human emotions, moral struggles, and the enduring fight for fairness and compassion.

But A People’s Person isn’t just about Dickens the social reformer—it’s also about Dickens the man: complex, brilliant, flawed, and endlessly fascinating. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of his work or new to his world, I hope this book gives you a fresh perspective on why his legacy matters now more than ever.

As someone who has loved history since childhood and made it her life’s work, it brings me such joy to see this project come to life and reach readers through places like Islington Library. I believe libraries are the beating hearts of communities, and to have my book included in their collection is a true honour.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey—from the friends who walked with me on Dickens tours to the readers who continue to be curious about the stories behind the stories. I hope Charles Dickens: A People’s Person enriches your understanding of a man who changed the world, one page at a time.

Warmest regards,
Michelle Cottam

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