• History of the Fellowship

    History of the Fellowship

Foundation

The Fellowship was founded in London in 1902.

Objectives

These were "to knit together in a common bond of friendship lovers of the great master of humour and pathos, Charles Dickens", to spread the love of humanity, to campaign against those "social evils" that most concerned Dickens, and "to assist in the preservation and purchase of buildings and objects associated with his name or mentioned in his works".

In a change to the Constitution agreed in 2005, an additional objective was introduced - to promote the knowledge and appreciation of his works. This was to reflect the change in emphasis of the Fellowship's activities, as outlined below.

Journal

The Dickensian first appeared in 1905, edited by one of the leading founders of the Fellowship, B.W. Matz (1865-1925).

Head Office

In 1925, the Fellowship purchased 48 Doughty Street in London, home of Charles Dickens from 1837 to 1839. The Dickens House Trust was established to run the house as a museum and library. The Charles Dickens Museum is the head office of the Fellowship.

Development

Following the assumption by government of many of the responsibilities previously taken by charities, charitable works have become less prominent among the Fellowship's activities, but still form part of its business. The preservation and development of the Charles Dickens Museum remains a key concern and the Fellowship has been involved with conservation and preservation work at Gad's Hill Place, Dickens's last home. Otherwise, in the programmes of activities arranged by Heaquarters and by the branches, and through The Dickensian and other publications, the Fellowship has continued to project the spirit of Dickens and his works, and to foster the highest standards of scholarship in this field.

The Dickens Fellowship acknowledges permission from the Charles  Dickens Museum to use many images from its library on this website

The Dickens Fellowship
The Dickens Fellowship
48 Doughty Street
London WC1N 2LX
Contacts
This Web Site is dedicated to Martha Rosso (1922 - 2003) and Alan Watts (1919-2016)
Copyright 2021  © The Dickens Fellowship: All rights reserved
DF Digital transformation courtesy S Newton, E Jones, S McKenzie.
Website design by JS Consulting