Victorian readers sent Dickens letters seeking advice, praising characters, or complaining about plot twists. Some were heartbroken fans requesting help for social issues, believing he could intervene. Dickens responded personally to many letters, showing empathy and cultivating a devoted following. This interaction resembled today’s influencer culture, where personalities directly shape public opinion. He also used letters to gauge public reaction, adjusting storylines and moral emphasis accordingly. Dickens’ engagement with readers reflected both generosity and clever marketing. Letters often arrived in overflowing mailbags, requiring assistants to organize and categorize them. This fan correspondence influenced Victorian publishing trends, with serialized stories responding to public sentiment.
The massive volume of correspondence demonstrates Dickens’ cultural reach and the early power of celebrity in shaping public discourse.
It underscores that author-reader relationships existed long before social media, highlighting Dickens as a pioneer in connecting directly with his audience.
Did you know Dickens sometimes received fan letters addressed to fictional characters, not just himself?
[BBC History, bbc.co.uk/history]