Death of Charles Dickens at Gads Hill Place

Background. Charles Dickens was an English writer and journalist who resided at Gads Hill Place in Higham, Kent. The house served as his country home until his death in 1870. He had been working on The Mystery of Edwin Drood, a novel scheduled for twelve instalments from April 1870 to February 1871. The work was illustrated by Luke Fildes and priced at one shilling per part.

Final Work. The Mystery of Edwin Drood focuses on John Jasper, a precentor and opium addict. Dickens planned twelve instalments but completed only six before his death. The novel was left unfinished in his writing desk. The story involves Jasper's lust for his pupil Rosa Bud. Dickens had expressed a new idea for the story in an 1869 letter.

Death and Burial. Dickens suffered a stroke on 8 June 1870 at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He died the following day, 9 June, aged 58. He died on a couch in the dining room at Gads Hill Place. He was buried in the Abbey, and a memorial elegy was delivered on 19 June 1870.