Lewis Carroll: The Man Behind Alice
By Sydney Sanders
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was born in Daresbury, Cheshire, England in 1832. As a young boy, his father tutored him in mathematics, classics, and literature. Charles delighted in complex math and logic puzzles, often sharing his own nonsensical riddles, poetry, and stories with his siblings. Charles’ aptitude for logic and math led him to study at Oxford University where he eventually went on to teach.
While working as a highly ranked mathematics scholar, teacher, and clergyman, Charles began to further indulge in theater, storytelling, and photography. He took portraits of families and published several comedic works in London newspapers under pseudonyms, reserving his real name for serious works. Charles’ love for puzzles was reflected in the pseudonyms he created, each one allowing him to take on a different identity. It was only after meeting the children of the dean of Christ Church at Oxford, Henry Liddell that he truly became his alias.
Charles’ friendship with the Liddell children allowed them to go on outings and excursions. One such outing resulted in the work Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Charles often told the children and their chaperones fantastical stories, illustrating as he talked. One day in June, his story delighted the children so much that Alice begged him to write it down for her. As the friendship grew, he expanded upon the story, known then as Alice’s Adventures Underground. While continuing to do portraits of families and children, Charles gave manuscripts of Alice to his subjects. Encouragement from fascinated children prompted Charles to lengthen and publish his work. Following his trend of writing under assumed names, Charles came up with a new identity to fit the fantastical book. Charles translated his first and middle names into Latin, getting Carolus Ludovicus, reversed the order, and interpreted an English version of the name to create Lewis Carroll. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published in July of 1865 with illustrations by John Tenniel.
References:
Hinde, Thomas. Lewis Carroll: Looking-Glass Letters. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, 1991. Print.
Stoffell, Stephanie. Lewis Carroll in Wonderland: The Life and Times of Alice and Her Creator. New York. Print.
"FAQ." Lewis Carroll Society of North America. Web. 7 May 2015.
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was born in Daresbury, Cheshire, England in 1832. As a young boy, his father tutored him in mathematics, classics, and literature. Charles delighted in complex math and logic puzzles, often sharing his own nonsensical riddles, poetry, and stories with his siblings. Charles’ aptitude for logic and math led him to study at Oxford University where he eventually went on to teach.
While working as a highly ranked mathematics scholar, teacher, and clergyman, Charles began to further indulge in theater, storytelling, and photography. He took portraits of families and published several comedic works in London newspapers under pseudonyms, reserving his real name for serious works. Charles’ love for puzzles was reflected in the pseudonyms he created, each one allowing him to take on a different identity. It was only after meeting the children of the dean of Christ Church at Oxford, Henry Liddell that he truly became his alias.
Charles’ friendship with the Liddell children allowed them to go on outings and excursions. One such outing resulted in the work Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Charles often told the children and their chaperones fantastical stories, illustrating as he talked. One day in June, his story delighted the children so much that Alice begged him to write it down for her. As the friendship grew, he expanded upon the story, known then as Alice’s Adventures Underground. While continuing to do portraits of families and children, Charles gave manuscripts of Alice to his subjects. Encouragement from fascinated children prompted Charles to lengthen and publish his work. Following his trend of writing under assumed names, Charles came up with a new identity to fit the fantastical book. Charles translated his first and middle names into Latin, getting Carolus Ludovicus, reversed the order, and interpreted an English version of the name to create Lewis Carroll. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published in July of 1865 with illustrations by John Tenniel.
References:
Hinde, Thomas. Lewis Carroll: Looking-Glass Letters. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, 1991. Print.
Stoffell, Stephanie. Lewis Carroll in Wonderland: The Life and Times of Alice and Her Creator. New York. Print.
"FAQ." Lewis Carroll Society of North America. Web. 7 May 2015.