From “Great Expectations” to “Oliver Twist”, one of the best known authors of English literature was celebrated Tuesday -- 200 years after his birth. BBC was at his childhood home in Portsmouth for the occasion.

“Today the street outside was crowded with well-wishers at the first in a series of celebrations which traced his career.”

A career that included the novel “A Christmas Carol” with its timeless characters Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim. Britain’s Telegraph saw Prince Charles lay a wreath Tuesday at Dickens’ grave in Westminster Abbey, while actor Ralph Fiennes read from his novel “Bleak House”.

“I want’s to tell him that I’m as poor as him now and have come there to be laid along with him. By and by Joe, bye and bye.”

But while Dickens the writer is still highly regarded, ABC Australia found that not everyone holds Dickens the man in such esteem -- the outlet spoke with a Dickens expert from the New South Wales state library.

“He was really quite appalling the way he treated his wife.  I think he did have a lot of hang ups and problems but I don’t think that that really matters when we look at the books.

The Guardian celebrated the birthday by hypothetically asking Dickens how he would cope in the modern world.

“Film producers will be calling on your mobile phone – but you will be wary, because you have always had to protect yourself from suppliants and admirers. Could you give up your famous quill pen and ink to toy with a computer? I guess you could.”

“After a two month refurbishment the Charles Dickens museum in London has reopened its doors. The former Dickens’ house has the world’s most important Dickens’ collection with over 100,000 items.”

But even if you're not an avid reader Dickens can still be enjoyed. IMDb credit the author with inspiring 326 feature length titles.