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Why did Charles Dickens found the Daily News?
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Charles Dickens
English novelist Charles Dickens working at his craft. Dickens published some of most beloved novels in English literature, including A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations.
Charles Dickens founded the Daily News in 1846 for several interconnected reasons rooted in his professional background and personal ambitions:
- Journalistic Roots: Dickens had a background as a reporter on the London press, and he maintained a strong desire to act as a leader of public opinion.1
- Political Convictions: He held firm political views and sought a platform through which he could express them.1
- Financial Independence: He wanted to secure a steady income that was independent of his literary creativity and the fluctuating tastes of novel readers.1
Despite his formidable energy and diverse talents, the venture proved to be a significant failure and is considered the biggest fiasco of his career.1