Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812, in Portsea, on the south coast of England, while his father was stationed nearby at Portsmouth. Although the Dickens family was from the lower middle class, it tried to maintain an air of respectability. The father, John Dickens, was a clerk in the navy pay office. He was a man of some ability and he did advance in the service, but his tastes for living beyond his means eventually led to disaster.
In 1814, John Dickens was transferred to London for a tour of duty of unknown duration. By 1817, the family was established in Chatham, near the naval dockyard, marking the beginning of the happy years of Charles's childhood. His recollections of early life were centered in Kent. Later in his life, he spoke of himself as coming from that region. One of Charles's fancies was to own Gad's Hill Place, a stately old dwelling near Rochester.
When Dickens was forty-four years old, he was able to afford to purchase the property; it became his permanent residence for the rest of his life.
Young Charles received his first schooling at home from his mother. He later attended regular schools in Chatham. He soon began reading his father's small collection of literary classics. The youngster also revealed early signs of genius, which John Dickens delighted in showing off. Having his father's approval encouraged Charles to work at his studies.
The pleasant times came to an end in 1822, when John Dickens was ordered back to London. The elder Dickens's fondness for luxuries beyond his means had caught up with him. He was in debt beyond the point where his creditors would cut him slack. Mrs. Dickens tried to help by starting up a school, but this only drew the family deeper into debt.
