Lewis Carroll ​

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English writer of world-famous children's fiction such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass. He was also a noted mathematician, photographer, and Anglican deacon.

Quick Facts ​

• Best known for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass.
• His works fall within the literary genre of nonsensical literature.
• Many of his works have been adapted into plays, films, and animations.
• He was a mathematician, photographer, and Anglican deacon.
• Influenced many other authors in the fantasy genre.

Background ​

Carroll was born in 1832 as Charles Lutwidge Dodgson in Daresbury, Cheshire, England. He was the eldest of eleven children in his family. He attended Richmond Grammar School and then Rugby School. He received a first in Mathematics and a second in Classics from Christ Church, Oxford University, where he remained for the rest of his life.

He wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in 1865 and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, in 1871. He also published mathematical works under his real name, Charles Dodgson. Carroll had a stammer that he kept for life, but he found employment as a mathematics lecturer at Christ Church, a post he held for over twenty years. He was also a deacon but never proceeded to priestly orders, perhaps because he would have been expected to preach. He passed away in 1898.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Carroll's writing typically features fantastical elements and a unique use of language, which often involves puns and word play. His work is characterized by its vivid imagination, eccentric characters, and intricate plot twists. His Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel have had profound influence on both children's literature and popular culture. He is appreciated for his ability to blend elements of absurdity, fantasy, and satire in his writing.

Notable Works ​

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865)
• Through the Looking-Glass (1871)
• The Hunting of the Snark (1876)
• Sylvie and Bruno (1889)