Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born at Landport, Portsmouth on 7 February  1812. His father, John Dickens, was then a clerk in the navy pay-office attached to Portsmouth Dockyard. In 1814 John transferred to London ad worked as a clerk in the navy pay office..

Charles Dickens' godfather, Christopher Huffam, had a sailmaking and ship chandlers shop in Garford Street, just outside the docks. He lived in the centre of Limehouse village, next to the church. As a child Dickens visited him often with his father.