CHARLES DICKENS AT KNEBWORTH

harles Dickens and Edward Bulwer-Lytton were good friends.

reserved in Bulwer-Lytton's study, which can be viewed at the house, are over one hundred letters from Dickens. One letter enclosed the new happy ending for 'Great Expectations' which Bulwer-Lytton had recommended - having not liked the first sad version that Dickens had sent him. Another display covers the Knebworth Private Theatricals when Dickens and his troupe of amateur actors, including such names as Mark Lemon, Douglas Jerrold, Augustus Egg, John Leech and Georgina Hogarth performed at Knebworth.

n that occasion Bulwer-Lytton and Dickens decided to found the Guild of Literature and Art, a charity, which would provide homes and support for young and struggling artists and writers. Bulwer-Lytton wrote a play, 'Not so bad as we seem', which Dickens and his troupe performed throughout the country raising money for the Guild. A Guild house was built in Stevenage but the scheme was not a success and the fund was eventually absorbed into the Artists  Benevolent Fund.

oday Dickens' stories are still enjoyed at Knebworth. In December actor Colin Greenslade will once again perform a reading of "A Christmas Carol". In October Mr. Greenslade will read Edward Bulwer-Lytton's spine-tingling chiller "The Haunted and the Haunters". For details follow the links.   History Menu