In his appeal across all class lines, and by sheer quantity of published works, Charles Dickens was one of the most popular writers of the 19th century.

In his appeal across all class lines, and by sheer quantity of published works, Charles Dickens was one of the most popular writers of the 19th century. The books and characters he created between 1836 and 1869 endure today, universally beloved by audiences of all ages. Yet for all the popularity of his work, the details of Dickens'life are not well known to a general audience. Now 130 years since Dickens'death, the fascinating true story of this prolific literary genius has finally received a definitive television biography. Written and hosted by leading Dickens biographer Peter Ackroyd (author of London: A Biography), "Dickens"explores the complexity of Dickens'inner life - his relationships, romantic obsessions, creative drive, and ambitious ego - by interweaving contemporary location footage, dramatization, state of the art visual effects, and excerpts from recent television adaptations of Dickens'classic works.

Encore: December 16-30, 2005