Today is the author, Charles Dickens’ birthday. He was born in Portsmouth, England on this day in 1812.
He is famous for his novels which include Oliver Twist (1837-38), Nicholas Nickleby (1838-39), and A Tale of Two Cities (1859) and his novella A Christmas Carol (1843), in which he addressed the worst in the life of England’s and Europe’s poor.
He wrote from experience. His family did time in debtor’s prison.
What I bet you did not know, is that CD’s cousins settled out here in NoCo.
There’s the Dickens Opera House just south of me in Longmont, built by Charles’ cousin, William.
What the Dickens Happened? – Visit Longmont, Colorado
About Dickens Opera House | Longmont’s Historic Event Venue
And that same wealthy financier was murdered just west of me, in Boulder,
The Oldest Unsolved Murder In Boulder Was Probably Solved A Century Ago
where Lisa and I go to enjoy the Shakespeare festival each summer.
The Scottish Play – The Wise Novelist
Dreams and Sleep – The Tempest – The Wise Novelist
When I first came out here, I was drawn to the Dickens Tavern on the southeast corner of Main Street and Third, just south of me in Longmont, where I had their Grilled Zucchini & Parmesan Fried Polenta. Oddly enough, at the time I didn’t realize the establishment’s connection to literary royalty. Instead, I was drawn to it by his reputation for being haunted.
Scaring the ‘Dickens’ Out of You: Longmont’s Haunted Steakhouse
But once I enjoyed that meal, in his cousin’s establishment, I considered Charles Dickens fodder for my Six-Degrees of Separation game.
69 Years Around the Sun – Six Degrees of Separation – Thank You Joyce Maynard – The Wise Novelist
The Adventures of Pete & Pete – The Wise Novelist
So, despite the fact that I did not move out west to become part of a new literary dynasty, the Berthoud School of Writers –
First Berthoud Literary Festival – The Wise Novelist
there is actually lots of Colorado writers – Ten Colorado Authors With the Write Stuff | Denver Westword –
And let’s not forget the wonderfully mad Hunter S. Thompson – Hunter S Thompson suicide ruling stands firm after 20-year review by Colorado investigators
Or Cam Torrens for that matter – CAM TORRENS – WRITER • READER • RUNNER • RUMINATOR
I am happy to have snuck in the back door (which is the best way of getting there), now having completed six novels during my brief stay here.
So, there you have it, my six-degrees of separation to Charles Dickens, these early NoCo hours on this 7th Day of February, 2026.
Now, you fine, five readers have a Saturday to launch. Get those errands done and finalize your plans for Superbowl LX.
Me, I’ve got the Farrier coming to provide Claire and Honey with their monthly mani-pedis.
Then Lisa and I have to drop off Savanna Joy’s birthday presents (it’s tomorrow).
And no matter what else we get up to, let us make today a great one.
