“lights twinkled in little casements; which lights, as the casements darkened, and more stars came out, seemed to have shot up into the sky instead of having been extinguished”

Victorian English novelist and social critic. His works—including *Oliver Twist*, *Great Expectations*, and *A Christmas Carol*—pioneered serialized fiction and exposed the harsh realities of industrial-era poverty. Known for his vivid characterizations and sharp social commentary, he remains a cornerstone of English literature.