The first statue of Charles Dickens was unveiled in the UK on what would have been his 202nd birthday (2014).
The bronze statue that was placed in Guildhall Square – in Portsmouth, the writer's hometown – is authored by the artist Martin Jennings, measures 1,7m and shows the writer surrounded by books.

More than 100 guests, including 40 members of the Dickens family, attended the unveiling ceremony and it was one of the youngest members of the family, Oliver Dickens (aged nine), who helped reveal the £140.000 statue to the public and the world. .

A curious (and perhaps controversial fact): Dickens did not want any homage (memorial, statue, etc) to be awarded to him posthumously, other than those involving his publications. The statue goes against his wishes.

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