Although, A Tale of Two Hittys is a work of fiction, some characters in the book were inspired by actual historical figures, and this page will explore their lives. Click on the links below to learn more about each character.
The Charles Dickens Family
Charles Dickens
The most famous author of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens lived from 1812 to 1870. He was known for his memorable characters and serialized fiction which often addressed important social issues such as poverty and child labor.
Mary Angela Dickens, “Mekitty”
“Mekitty” was Charles Dickens’ nickname for his eldest granddaughter. She lived from 1862-1948, and like her grandfather, she was an author who wrote serialized novels.
Catherine (Hogarth) Dickens
Catherine was Mekitty’s paternal grandmother. She lived apart from her husband after 1858, when she discovered that Charles was having an affair with an actress.
Charles Dickens, Jr., “Charley”
Charley was the eldest son of Charles Dickens and also Mekitty’s father. He was supposed to have been a businessman but had much better success as an editor.
Elizabeth (Evans) Dickens, “Bessie”
Bessie was Mekitty’s mother. She was the daughter of Frederick Mullett Evans, a former publisher of Dickens’ books. Bessie had eight children: 7 girls and one boy.
The Dolls
Hitty is a 6.25″ tall wooden doll from the book, Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field, which contains her “memoirs.” She met Charles Dickens when he was on a reading tour of America in 1867.
Kitty is a 6.25″ tall wooden doll in the book, A Tale of Two Hittys. Charles Dickens hired a woodcarver to make Kitty as a birthday present for Mekitty, after seeing Hitty in America.