Charles Dickens, born in 1812, lived a life of remarkable contrasts. When he was very young, his father was imprisoned for poverty, and Dickens was exposed to scenes of struggle and suffering similar to those he described in "David Copperfield" and "Oliver Twist." It was not until his early twenties, when he became at the same time court reporter and author of the very successful and amusing "Pickwick Papers" that Dickens approached prosperity. A portion of the "Pickwick Papers," describing court proceedings, is read to show Dickens' gift for humorous narration. After this he began to write prolifically, using his novels to attack social injustices as well as to describe the tremendous variety of odd or unusual characters he saw about him in London. Among these, one of the most famous is the description of Sairey Camp, which is read during the course of the episode. A successful author and lecturer, Dickens visited the United States twice, and died at the age of fifty-eight, in the midst of writing his twenty-first novel. This episode makes use of first editions of Dickens' works, as well as of other objects, sketches, and pictures connect with the author's life. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche) Each of the 10 half-hour episodes of Portraits in Print presents the life of a famous author as it was reflected in his own writing. A series of drawings, etchings, lithographs, and photographs of the times and places mentioned recreates the times and physical appearance of each writer. A narrator describes these times and places, often from the authors works. In addition, actors on camera read well-known passages. The episodes were prepared in cooperation with the Free Library of Philadelphia. Taylor Grant, who reads the narration for each of the ten episodes, broadcasts public service programs for the American Broadcasting Company and also prepared an outstanding series of interviews with distinguished persons. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)
