News | February 7, 2024

Dickens Museum Puts Newly Acquired Letters from “Best and Truest Friend” on Display

Charles Dickens Museum

Georgina Hogarth standing, from Katie Dickens' photograph album

In December 2023, the Charles Dickens Museum bought 120 previously unpublished letters written by Georgina Hogarth, the author's sister-in-law, housekeeper, friend and confidante, who lived with Charles Dickens from 1842, aged 15, until Dickens’s death in 1870.

The letters, acquired for £6,048 from a private collection at a Christie’s auction with the support of the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and Friends of National Libraries, were sent by Georgina Hogarth to Charles Kent (1823-1902), an English poet, biographer and journalist, and, for 25 years, editor of The Sun newspaper. A selection of the letters is now on public display for the first time in Dickens’s study at the museum. offering a new insight into the life of Dickens whose birthday it is today.

Christine Skelton, author of Charles Dickens and Georgina Hogarth: A Curious and Enduring Relationship said: “These letters are of immense interest and value to Dickens scholars. Dickens regarded Georgina as his ‘best and truest friend’. Charles Kent was one of Dickens’s oldest friends and he and Georgina began writing to each other while the author was still alive, and were later able to share their mutually profound grief on his sudden demise. They will be a tremendous asset for researchers.”

During her long association with Charles Dickens, Georgina Hogarth was witness to some of the most significant events in his life, including the separation from his wife Catherine which greatly affected his writing and creative output and threatened his reputation. She moved into the family home six years after Charles and Catherine were married, became greatly respected and admired by Dickens, chose to remain with him after the brutal public separation from Catherine, and was with him at his Gad’s Hill home on the night of his death.

One letter, written by Georgina to Charles Kent on February 7, 1871, the first birthday after Dickens’s death, is especially poignant:

I know he is happy and blessed and indeed I do not think I would recall him to this dark world, if I could - but the burden of life without him is very very hard to bear - and sometimes, just lately especially I feel as if I could not bear it- and people always seem to think it is wicked to wish to die I am sure I don't know why - at any rate, if the wish does not prevent your (self?) humbly trying to do your duty while you live - as cheerfully and contently as you can! God bless you and yours - and help you through weary work of living.

On Dickens’s death, Georgina became joint executor of his will, and was key in shaping his legacy. The letters will greatly increase public knowledge of Georgina’s life with the Dickens family, her friendship with Charles Dickens and her role in managing and protecting his reputation after his death.

Charles Dickens Museum

Letter written by Georgina to Charles Kent on February 7, 1871, the first birthday after Dickens’s death

Charles Dickens Museum

One of Hogarth's letters with details of Dickens's reading tours, dates, and locations

A personal friend of Charles Dickens, Charles Kent contributed articles to Dickens’s weekly magazines Household Words and All the Year Round. Kent and Georgina Hogarth also became close friends and corresponded for many years and Kent also became closely involved in ensuring Dickens’s memory was not forgotten after his death. The newly-acquired collection of letters to Kent covers the years 1867 until 1898. Charles Kent died in 1902 and there is one letter from Georgina to his daughter on Christmas Day 1904

“Georgina Hogarth was a major figure in Charles Dickens’s life and remains a fascinating character," said Emma Harper, curator at the Charles Dickens Museum. "Despite witnessing at close quarters the controversial and often spiteful breakdown of her sister Catherine’s marriage, she remained close to Charles, continued to live for many years as his housekeeper and was greatly affected by his death. As well as being a rich source of information and insight into the life and character of Charles Dickens, the acquisition will allow us to build a fuller picture of Georgina, one of the women who supported, enabled, encouraged and advocated for his life and work."

The Museum now holds the world’s largest collection of Georgina Hogarth letters - 51 further letters are known to be held by other major collections, including the British Library, Morgan Library & Museum in New York, the New York Public Library, and Chapel Hill Library North Carolina.