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Exhibition Reveals Real Women Behind Dickens's Characters

12/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Charles Dickens Museum in London hosts the exhibition Extra/Ordinary Women to highlight real women who inspired Dickens's female characters.
Curator Kirsty Parsons notes Dickens's female characters often appear meek.
He drew from strong real-life figures after interactions with women at Urania Cottage.
From February 11 to September 6, 2026, the exhibition runs, featuring Catherine Dickens and Ellen Ternan.

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Story summary

The Charles Dickens Museum in London hosts the exhibition Extra/Ordinary Women to highlight real women who inspired Dickens's female characters.
Curator Kirsty Parsons notes Dickens's female characters often appear meek.
He drew from strong real-life figures after interactions with women at Urania Cottage.
From February 11 to September 6, 2026, the exhibition runs, featuring Catherine Dickens and Ellen Ternan.