NAME Lewis Carroll (born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) He created this pseudonym by translating his first and middle names into Latin (Carolus Ludovicus), reversing the order, and then translating them back into English."
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Lewis Carroll is famous for being an English writer, mathematician, and logician, best known for his beloved children’s books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass.
BIRTH Charles Dodgson was born on January 27, 1832, in Daresbury, Cheshire, England.
FAMILY BACKGROUND Charles Dodgson was the third of eleven children—four boys and seven girls—and the eldest son. Remarkably, all eleven children survived into adulthood, a rarity for the time.
His father, the formidable and intellectually brilliant clergyman Dr. Charles Dodgson, was the rector of St. Peter’s Croft in Yorkshire. Young Charles adored his mother, Frances, a gentle and uneducated woman. The couple, first cousins, were deeply religious and had married in 1827.
CHILDHOOD Charles enjoyed a privileged childhood in comfortable rectories, cared for by a dedicated staff. Surrounded by his ten siblings, he developed a lively imagination, writing plays and even a comic opera to entertain them. As a child, he was drawn to whimsical pursuits: building toy trains, performing magic tricks, and forming unlikely friendships with snails and toads.
Between 1845 and 1850, Charles' creative spirit blossomed as he edited several home magazines, including The Rectory Umbrella, which he both wrote and illustrated. In an era dominated by didactic children's literature, he stood out as a young boy with a keen eye for the absurd, foreshadowing the rebellious spirit of Alice.
A bright and articulate child, Charles initially received home schooling. His early reading list, including works like The Pilgrim's Progress at the age of seven, reveals a precocious intellect. While there are persistent rumors that he suffered psychological trauma due to being left-handed, there's no concrete evidence to support this claim.
EDUCATION Charles Dodgson's formal education began at the age of twelve at Mr. Tate’s school in Richmond. His exceptional abilities were quickly recognized by Dr. Tate, who described him as a "boy of uncommon genius." Dodgson was also known for his physical prowess, earning a reputation as a strong defender of himself and others.
Subsequent schooling took him to Richmond Grammar School and then Rugby, where his academic brilliance contrasted sharply with the relentless bullying he endured due to his stammer. Despite these challenges, he excelled in mathematics and classical languages, even writing poetry in Latin.
His years at Rugby were marked by unhappiness, particularly due to unspecified nocturnal disturbances. Nonetheless, his academic star continued to rise. R.B. Mayor, the mathematics master, hailed him as the most promising student he’d encountered at Rugby.
Dodgson left Rugby in 1850 and, after a brief unexplained interval, matriculated at his father’s alma mater, Christ Church, Oxford, in 1851. His studies were tragically interrupted by his mother’s death from a brain illness that same year. While the loss undoubtedly affected him, Dodgson remained focused on his academic pursuits. His exceptional talent quickly bore fruit, earning him a First in Honour Moderations and a prestigious Studentship at Christ Church.
CAREER RECORD A dedicated and disciplined individual, Dodgson rose early each day to immerse himself in his work. His unusual approach included writing while standing. Despite immense academic promise, his early career was a blend of high achievement and self-imposed distractions. A missed scholarship opportunity due to his own procrastination did little to dampen his mathematical brilliance, which earned him the prestigious Christ Church Mathematical Lectureship. His stammer and the apathy of his often older, wealthier students created a challenging teaching environment. Ultimately, he retired from teaching in 1881.
Ordained as a deacon in 1861, he never pursued priesthood due to his speech impediment. Ultimately, he retired from teaching in 1881.
He also pursued photography and writing, achieving fame with his "Alice" books and various other works of literature and mathematics.
APPEARANCE The young adult Charles Dodgson was about six foot tall, slender and handsome in a soft-focused dreamy sort of way, with curling brown hair striking blue eyes, and a distinctive stammer.
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| Dodgson in 1857 |
FASHION He dressed conservatively, typical of an Oxford don, usually seen in dark formal Victorian attire.
The Alice Band, a wide hair band of coloured ribbon is named after the band worn by Alice in Tenniel's illustrations of Through the Looking Glass.
CHARACTER Dodgson was crazy (but not as mad as a hatter), dreamy, flustered, creative, gentle, shy and withdrawn. A perfectionist (probably due to his geometric background). Like a roll of camera film he was underdeveloped, more at ease with children than grown ups. He was a meticulous, exacting bachelor who labelled all his papers and letters.
RELATIONSHIPS Dodgson was never married. He had close friendships with many children, most famously Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
He had close relationships with his siblings and a circle of young friends who inspired his writing.
Dodgson was a man of peculiar habits, including an aversion to female ankles that led him to avoid assisting ladies over obstacles. Despite this eccentricity, he shared a warm friendship with Alice Liddell's mother, Lorina, a striking woman with Spanish features.
Dodgson entertained young friends with parties, theater outings, and picnics. His life was significantly intertwined with the Liddell family after Dean Henry Liddell arrived at Christ Church in 1856. Dodgson formed close bonds with the Dean's wife and their daughters, particularly Ina, Alice, and Edith. River picnics at Godstow and Nuneham became a cherished tradition.
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| Alice Liddell, aged 7, photographed by Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) in 1860 |
Most of Dodgson's adult friendships were confined to academic circles. A notable exception was his close relationship with Lord Tennyson, which included frequent visits to the poet's Isle of Wight home.
Before finding fame with Alice, Dodgson immersed himself in the Pre-Raphaelite movement. His circle included luminaries such as John Ruskin, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, and Arthur Hughes. He also cultivated a friendship with the fairy-tale author George MacDonald, whose daughters' enthusiastic response to Alice encouraged Dodgson to publish the book.
MONEY AND FAME Despite his success as a writer, Dodgson maintained a modest lifestyle. His income came from his mathematical lecturing, photography and his literary works.
The initial reception of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was far from auspicious, with only 48 copies sold upon publication. However, he became a celebrated author and public figure.
Dodgson had a profound aversion to publicity, steadfastly refusing all interview requests. Despite his literary genius, he often expressed self-deprecating sentiments about his abilities.
FOOD AND DRINK Dodgson had a sweet tooth, particularly enjoying cakes and pastries, often accompanied by a cup of tea. He also had a fondness for fruits, especially apples and plums. While known for his sweet indulgences, his diet was balanced with savory dishes like roast beef and pork.
Dodgson often dined at Christ Church. He made several references in Alice In Wonderland complaining about dining hall food in Oxford.
Carroll’s iconic poem, "Beautiful Soup," from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland – states:
"A loaf of bread, the walrus said
Is what we chiefly need
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed."
Dodgson did a great deal of entertaining and kept a track of menus in his diary so that his guests would not have the same dishes too frequently
MUSIC AND ARTS Dodgson’s creative flair was evident from a young age. He constructed a marionette theater with the help of his family and a local carpenter, writing and performing his own plays. A lover of entertainment, he also owned an organette, a musical instrument requiring paper tunes.
Photography became a consuming passion. His initial focus was on actors, actresses, and children, but his talent soon attracted a wider clientele. Renowned for his portraits of children in imaginative poses, including some nude studies, Dodgson also photographed notable figures such as Ellen Terry, Tennyson, and Rossetti. Controversy surrounding his child photography led him to abandon the practice in 1880.
Despite ending his photographic career, Dodgson remained deeply connected to the arts. A natural performer, he enjoyed singing, storytelling, and acting, often entertaining friends and family. He was reputedly good at charades. His ability to mimicry and his quick wit made him a popular companion.
Dodgson appreciated music and enjoyed playing the piano. A quote from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland seemingly reflects his own experience with rhythm and timing: "I know I have to beat time when I learn music!" "Ah that accounts for it," said the Hatter. "He won't stand beating."
LITERATURE Lewis Carroll was an unconventional writer, often working while standing. His prolific nature is evident in the staggering number of letters he penned – nearly 98,000 over the last three decades of his life. While celebrated for his imaginative children’s literature, Carroll was also a skilled mathematician, authoring works like Formula of Plane Trigonometry and An Elementary Treatise on Determinants. He co-authored the Liddell & Scott Greek Lexicon.
A perfectionist to a fault, Carroll drove his publishers to despair with his insistence on flawless typography. His high standards led to the rejection of entire print runs, with unsold copies often donated to children’s hospitals.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland originated from a story told to amuse the Liddell sisters during a boat trip in 1862. Initially titled Alice’s Adventures Underground, the book was expanded to include iconic characters like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter. Its immense popularity—nearly 200,000 copies sold by 1900—belies the fact that only 21 copies of the original manuscript survived due to printing errors. The manuscript now resides in the Philadelphia Free Library.
The inspiration for the Mad Hatter is often attributed to Theophilius Carter, an eccentric Oxford hatmaker.
Carroll's literary genius is showcased in the unforgettable characters and nonsensical phrases that populate his books. From the Cheshire Cat's enigmatic grin to the Walrus and Carpenter’s philosophical musings, his works continue to enchant readers of all ages. His ability to coin words, such as "chortle," and his mastery of verse, exemplified in poems like "Jabberwocky," solidified his place in literary history.
NATURE Dodgson enjoyed the countryside and often took walks in the gardens and fields around Oxford. Nature inspired many of the whimsical elements in his writing.
PETS Dodgson had a fondness for animals, including dogs, cats, and birds.
As a child, Dodgson liked playing with snails, toads and other similar animals.
There is no such thing as a Cheshire Cat. The county of Cheshire used to make cheese that came moulded in the shape of a Cheshire cat
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Despite his gentle nature, Dodgson was known to be a fierce defender, earning a reputation as a formidable fighter during his school days.
His intellectual pursuits extended beyond literature, as evidenced by his inclusion of chess moves in Through the Looking-Glass. He also immortalized the game of croquet with a surreal twist in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, featuring the Queen's unconventional use of a flamingo as a mallet.
While skilled at chess and billiards, Dodgson was not a sports enthusiast. His comedic claim that his sole cricket attempt would have been a wide ball is indicative of his sporting prowess, or lack thereof.
Beyond his literary and mathematical pursuits, Dodgson exhibited a talent for games and puzzles. His travels were often accompanied by a black bag filled with toys and games to entertain his young friends.
SCIENCE AND MATHS Dodgson was a respected mathematician, publishing several academic papers and books on logic, linear algebra, and recreational mathematics.
The number 42 appears with unusual frequency throughout Dodgson's works, though the reason for this remains a mystery.
A lifelong fascination with mirrors led him to incorporate them into his magic tricks and even as a medium for secret writing. By using invisible ink, Dodgson could project hidden messages onto walls when exposed to sunlight.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Dodgson was a devout Anglican and incorporated his religious beliefs into his daily life and works. He was also interested in logic and philosophy, influencing his approach to both mathematics and literature.
He explored themes of identity, reality, and the nature of consciousness in his work.
Dodgson wanted to go into church and was ordained as a deacon but his shyness and stammer prevented him pursuing a career. He also feared he would have to give up his visits to theatres and art galleries.
He had a tremendous reverence for sacred subjects and would leave a theatre if a joke on such matters was made during a play.
A man of strong moral principles, Dodgson refused to have his photograph taken on the Sabbath.
To combat erotic thoughts, Dodgson resorted to mentally solving complex puzzles throughout the night.
POLITICS His conservative and religious background influenced his views, but he preferred to focus on his academic and literary pursuits.
SCANDAL Dodgson's close relationships with young girls have sparked controversy and speculation. However, there is no concrete evidence of inappropriate behavior, and many scholars believe his relationships were innocent and platonic.
Dodgson's name has been tangentially linked to the Jack the Ripper case. A brief diary entry from August 26, 1891, mentions a conversation with an acquaintance about a "very ingenious theory" regarding the perpetrator of the infamous murders. However, no further details about this theory exist, and Dodgson's interest in the case is likely attributable to the widespread fascination with the crimes at the time.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was banned in China in 1931because animals were anthropomorphized and made to speak like humans, which was seen as an insult.
MILITARY RECORD Dodgson did not serve in the military. His career was primarily academic and literary.
As a boy, Dodgson tried to promote modern warfare among earthworms by giving them small pieces of clay pipe for weapons
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Dodgson had several health issues, including a stammer, partial deafness in one ear, and frequent migraines. Despite these challenges, he maintained an active intellectual life.
Dodgson’s stammer, was notably absent when interacting with children.
His health challenges extended beyond this. Diagnosed with epilepsy at Oxford, a condition carrying significant social stigma at the time, he later suffered a severe bout of whooping cough at seventeen. This illness resulted in partial hearing loss and persistent respiratory problems.
In his later years, Dodgson experienced a peculiar visual disturbance involving “moving fortifications.” This condition, combined with the neurological symptoms often associated with mercury poisoning, has led to speculation about a possible link to the Mad Hatter character. During the 19th century, mercury was used in hat making, and exposure to its toxic fumes could cause neurological damage, leading to symptoms like irritability, tremors, and memory loss—characteristics reminiscent of the Mad Hatter.
HOMES Born in the Cheshire vicarage of Daresbury, a place now owned by pop music figurehead Pete Waterman, Dodgson spent his early childhood there. At eleven, the family relocated to the spacious Croft Rectory in Yorkshire, their home for the next twenty-five years.
The majority of Dodgson's adult life was centered at Christ Church College, Oxford. After settling into a twelve-room turreted apartment in the northwest corner of Tom Quad in the mid-1860s, he remained there until his death.
TRAVEL As a teenager, Dodgson was fascinated by trains and loved travelling on them during holidays.
His book royalties allowed him to stay at the same house at 7 Lushington Road in Eastbourne every summer for about 20 years. He also spent many Christmases at 11 Sussex Square, Kemp Town, Brighton. Whitby was another favored destination, visiting twelve times between 1854-71 usually staying in a house in East Terrace.
The picturesque Whitburn Sands in Sunderland provided inspiration for some of Dodgson’s most celebrated works, including parts of "The Walrus and the Carpenter" and "Jabberwocky."
While Dodgson undertook one significant journey to Russia in the company of Dr. Henry Liddon, their differing travel styles proved incompatible. Liddon’s irritation grew as Dodgson’s penchant for the absurd and disregard for punctuality became increasingly apparent.
DEATH Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, passed away aged 65, on January 14, 1898, at the residence of his sisters in Guildford, "The Chestnuts." The cause of death was pneumonia following a bout of influenza. A funeral service was held for him at St. Mary's Church in Guildford, and his final resting place is Mount Cemetery in the same town.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Lewis Carroll's life and works continue to captivate audiences across generations. His stories have inspired countless adaptations in various media.
Film adaptations range from the star-studded 1933 live-action version of Alice In Wonderland featuring Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, and W.C. Fields to the iconic 1951 Disney animated classic with memorable songs like "The Unbirthday Song." The 1985 film, Dreamchild, offers a poignant adult perspective on the Alice-Dodgson relationship, starring Ian Holm as a stammering Dodgson and featuring puppets by Jim Henson.
Music has also drawn inspiration from Carroll’s world. Bands like The Mock Turtles adopted the name as a direct homage. While Jefferson Airplane's psychedelic rock anthem "White Rabbit" alludes to the story, its interpretation is considered by many to be a misrepresentation. There is also the interesting fact that Simon and Garfunkel first met during a school production of Alice in Wonderland, with Simon taking on the role of the White Rabbit.
ACHIEVEMENTS Carroll's achievements include his enduring literary works, particularly the "Alice" series, which have become classics of children's literature. His contributions to mathematics and logic also continue to be respected. His inventive use of language and narrative structure has left a lasting legacy in both literature and mathematics.
Sources: Guinness Book of Words, Penguin Book of Interviews, Dictionary of Phrase & Fable by Nigel Rees, Faber Book of Anecdotes, Book of Lists 3, Giant Book of Trivia & Facts, Encarta Encyclopedia
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