John Forster (1812 76), an exact contemporary of Charles Dickens, was one of his closest friends, and acted for him (as for many other authors) as advisor, editor, proofreader, agent and marketing manager: according to Thackeray, 'whenever anyone is in a scrape we all fly to him for refuge. He is omniscient and works miracles.' Forster was Dickens' literary executor, and was left the manuscripts of many of the novels, which he in turn left (along with the rest of his magnificent library) to the South Kensington Museum (later the Victoria and Albert Museum). He was ideally placed to write a...

John Forster (1812 76), an exact contemporary of Charles Dickens, was one of his closest friends, and acted for him (as for many other authors) as advisor, editor, proofreader, agent and marketing manager: according to Thackeray, 'whenever anyone is in a scrape we all fly to him for refuge. He is omniscient and works miracles.' Forster was Dickens' literary executor, and was left the manuscripts of many of the novels, which he in turn left (along with the rest of his magnificent library) to the South Kensington Museum (later the Victoria and Albert Museum). He was ideally placed to write a...

John Forster was a close friend of Charles Dickens and godfather to one of his daughters. On Dickens death Forster devoted himself to writing his biography, producing the first of three volumes after two years. He had previous experience of writing biographies and extensive access to much of Dickens circle of family and friends, and his correspondence; thus he was ideally placed to thoroughly describe the great authors life. Most of the chapters deal with a specific period of Dickens life, including his childhood, education, early career, writings, extensive travel, family life and public...