David Copperfield

'David Copperfield', Charles Dickens' eighth novel, was originally published in book form in 1850 with the title 'The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (Which He Never Meant to Publish on Any Account)'

The story appeared as a serial over the course of two years and is widely regarded to be the most auto-biographical of Dickens' novels. The story follows the life of David Copperfield from boyhood through to his mature years. The fictional David was born near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk in 1820, six months after the death of his father. He grows up with his mother and Peggotty, their housekeeper. His mother marries the unpleasant Edward Murdstone, when David is seven years old. Edward's sister, Jane, moves into the house. Murdstone thrashes David for disappointing school reports and in desperation David bites him. Murdsone has the boy sent to the notorious boarding School, Salem House, with the strict headmaster, Mr. Creakle. It is while he is at the school that be befriends James Steerforth and Tommy Traddles.