Charles Dickens
Born in Portsmouth, Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed readings extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
The list contains 1001 titles and is made up of novels, short stories, and short story collections. There is also one pamphlet ("A Modest Proposal"), one book of collected text (""), and one graphic novel ("Watchmen"). The most featured authors on the list are J. M. Coetzee and Charles Dickens with ten titles each.