The Pickwick Papers

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, better known as The Pickwick Papers, is the first novel by Charles Dickens. It was originally an idea by Robert Seymour the illustrator, which Dickens was asked to contribute to as an up and coming writer following the success of Sketches by Boz, published in 1832. Dickens, overconfident as ever, increasingly took over the unsuccessful monthly publication after Seymour had committed suicide. With the introduction of Sam Weller the book became the first real publishing phenomenon, with bootleg copies, theatrical performances, Sam Weller joke books and other merchandise. It was inspired by a town, Corsham. The name Pickwick is likely to have come from that of a nearby farm, Pickwick Lodge Farm. Pickwick is the part of Corsham which is on the A4; once the main road from London to Bristol.

Adaptations

The novel has been filmed several times, including:

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• 1913 - a silent short starring John Bunny as Pickwick and H. P. Owen as Sam Weller
• 1921 - The Adventures of Mr Pickwick, silent, starring Frederick Volpe and Hubert Woodward
• 1952 - starring James Hayter and Harry Fowler

There have also been BBC radio and television adaptations.

Related Topics:
BBC - Radio - Television

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