Dickens, Charles (1812-1870) - The most popular and perhaps greatest
English novelist and short-story writer, he drew on his experiences as a
poor child to produce extremely realistic stories.
Hard Times (1854) - Thomas Gradgrind is an educator who believes only in
the demonstrable fact. He raises his children, Louisa and Thomas, in a grim
materialistic atmosphere that adversely affects their entire lives. "Hard
Times" is an indictment of the values of 19th century industrial England.
