“There was once a king, and he had a queen; and he was the manliest of his gender, and she was the loveliest of hers. They had nineteen children, and were always having more.”

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.