Online Exhibition: Character Sketches from the World of Charles Dickens
This exhibition celebrates one of the most enduring legacies of Charles Dickens's genius: the unforgettable characters he brought to life.
The novel's title character is a simple-minded and good-natured young man who gets mixed up in the riots through his friendship with Maypole Hugh. His constant companion is the raven, Grip, who astonishes with his clever sayings and sound effects.
F. O. C. Darley. Character Sketches from Dickens. Boston: Estes and Lauriat, 1892.
The Rare Book Department at Parkway Central Library is home to Charles Dickens’s beloved pet raven Grip, who served as inspiration for the raven character and is said to be the bird behind Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous poem.
Photograph by Will Brown
Dolly is the vivacious and desirable daughter of Gabriel and Martha Varden. She is pursued by many would-be suitors but her true love is Joe Willet. In this engraving she is being stalked by Hugh, an employee of the Maypole Inn and one of the instigators of the riots.
Hablot K. Browne. “Dolly Varden.” n.d.
Lord George Gordon (1750-1793) was a real historical figure, member of Parliament, and leader of the unrest. He is accompanied by his hypocritical secretary, Gashford, and his loyal servant, John Grueby.
T. Sibson." Lord George Gordon's passage into London." Illustrations to Master Humphrey's Clock. London: Robert Tyas, Paternoster Row, August 1841.
Edward Chester recovers from his violent encounter with a mysterious highwayman. As Gabriel Varden questions him, Grip the raven perches on the back of the chair and Barnaby amuses himself with a game of cat's cradle.
Hablot K. Browne. Original Illustration for Master Humphrey's Clock, 1841.
No one portrays “the help” as hilariously as Charles Dickens. Miggs is the maid of the Varden household who takes up Mrs. Varden's cause against her amiable husband, the locksmith Gabriel Varden. Miggs was “slender and shrewish, of a rather uncomfortable figure.”
Hablot K. Browne. “Mrs. Varden and Miggs.” London: Chapman and Hall, 1848.
Emma reads a secret note from her sweetheart, Edward Chester, brought by her friend Dolly Varden. Emma's father, Geoffrey Haredale, and Edward's father, Sir John Chester, are sworn enemies and have forbidden the couple from seeing one another.
Hablot K. Browne. Original Illustration for Master Humphrey's Clock, 1841.