Dickens' Dream was painted by Robert William Buss

"On hearing of Dickens' death in June 1870, Buss was moved to attempt a large watercolour Dickens's Dream, which portrayed the dozing author seated in his Gad's Hill Place study surrounded by many of the characters he had created. The desk, chair and background of the painting were closely based on The Empty Chair, an engraving made at Gads Hill Place in 1870, shortly after Dickens' death, by Samuel Luke Fildes. The painting was Buss's last attempt to illustrate Dickens' characters, and he modestly reproduced the images of the artists who had succeeded him. However, before he could finish it Buss died at his home. Today the painting is exhibited at the Charles Dickens' Museum." From Wikipedia.

After the requisite high school assignment of Tale of Two Cities we postponed further reading of the novels. A quarter of a century ago, we began once again in earnest dedication, and have finished the works. The 200th anniversary of his birth will be celebrated worldwide in 2012.

And now, we've been made aware of the Dickens' Project in Santa Cruz, California:

The Project creates opportunities for collaborative research on Dickens and the Victorian age, and disseminates research findings through annual conferences, institutes, and publications. It supports the professional development of graduate students and produces curricular material for teaching Victorian literature at both secondary and post-secondary levels.

The Dickens Universe

Held every year at the beginning of August on the beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus, the Dickens Universe brings together scholars, graduate students, high school teachers, and members of the general public for a week of study and Dickensian conviviality. The program includes formal lectures by internationally distinguished scholars, seminars, small discussion groups, films, performances, exhibits, and a variety of informal social activities. Regularly attended by more than 200 participants of different ages and backgrounds, the Universe provides a relaxed and supportive environment in which to pursue serious intellectual inquiry.

Each summer, the Universe program focuses on a different Dickens novel and on a related theme. Previous gatherings have featured such topics as "Dickens and America" (in conjunction with Martin Chuzzlewit), "Dickens and Women" (in conjunction with Dombey and Son), "Dickens and the Law" (in conjunction with Bleak House), and "Dickens and Victorian Publishing" (in conjunction with The Pickwick Papers). Papers presented at the Dickens Universe are published regularly in Dickens Studies Annual: Essays on Victorian Fiction.

Dates for the 2012 Dickens Universe, featuring Bleak House are Sunday July 29 to Saturday August 4.

The Dickens Universe is available as a regular UCSC Summer Session course for 5 undergraduate units in Literature, transferable to UC. Students interested in these units must register with Summer Session. The program is also offered through Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel), although not eligible for credit. For more details please contact the Dickens Project.

Several years ago, we visited the Dickens House Museum at 48 Doughty Street, London and were frankly disappointed by the condition of the house at that time. We've learned from the museum's website that the house has been renovated and re-opened on November 7th, 2011. "Great Expectations, a £3.1m project to restore, redevelop and improve the Charles Dickens Museum has expanded and redisplayed rooms, returning them to their traditional Victorian-era appearance."

The Dickens Fellowship provides listings of Dickens-related societies and websites providing a variety of interests for Dickens readers and travelers.

The New York Public Library features an etching of Mr. Pickwick Addresses the Club. In addition, the Library features: The Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature original collection which was confined primarily to Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray, with selected highlights of English literature, numbered 3,500 items. It has grown through acquisitions and gifts to include some 35,000 printed items and 115,000 manuscripts, covering the entire range of English and American literature.

Read Val Castronovo's article on New York City's Morgan Libray exhibit at SeniorWomen.com. Just recently, the Museum of London opened a new exhibit on the author:

*This image is in the public domain due to its age. (Original text: http://www.dickensmuseum.com/vtour/firstfloor Dickens' Dream." Painted 1875. Donated by the artist's grandson - 1931.")

Pages: 1 · 2

More Articles

• National Archives Records Lay Foundation for Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
• Nichola D. Gutgold - The Most Private Roosevelt Makes a Significant Public Contribution: Ethel Carow Roosevelt Derby
• Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Mushrooms, Mushrooms, Mushrooms and An Observational Trek
• Oppenheimer: July 28 UC Berkeley Panel Discussion Focuses On The Man Behind The Movie
• Julia Sneden Wrote: Love Your Library
• "Henry Ford Innovation Nation", a Favorite Television Show
• Julia Sneden Wrote: Going Forth On the Fourth After Strict Blackout Conditions and Requisitioned Gunpowder Had Been the Law
• Jo Freeman Reviews: Gendered Citizenship: The Original Conflict Over the Equal Rights Amendment, 1920 – 1963
• Jo Freeman Writes: It’s About Time
• Jo Freeman Reviews: Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight