London, Jan 1 (IANS) Charles Dickens wanted two wishes to be fulfilled after he died — one, to be buried in an inexpensive ceremony, and two, that no memorial be erected in his honour. Both have now been defied as his hometown is all set to put up a statue.
A life-sized bronze statue, cast in 1891, stands in Philadelphia, US. It is thought to be the only statue in existence until now, the Telegraph reported.
Now, another statue of Dickens will be unveiled in the city of his birthplace Portsmouth in June.
Dickens died in 1870 following a stroke.
Defying all his wishes in his will, Dickens was also commemorated on a 10-pound note in use between 1992 and 2003 in which his portrait appeared on the reverse.
He had also asked to be buried at Rochester Cathedral in an inexpensive and private ceremony but was laid to rest in Poets’ Corner at Westminster Abbey.
The new statue has been sculpted by Martin Jennings. It shows Dickens reading in a chair.
It will be unveiled in Portsmouth June 9, the 133rd anniversary of the author’s death.
Dickens spent the first three years of his life in Portsmouth where his father worked in the dockyard, before moving to London and then Kent.
In December, the Charles Dickens Museum reopened in London after a three-million-pound refurbishment.
The museum, in his former Bloomsbury home, holds over 100,000 items including manuscripts, rare editions and personal belongings.
