Plagiarisms & Piracies
Dickens's work was copied with and without his permission throughout his lifetime. Some plagiarists dramatised his stories. Others adopted his characters for their own publications. Some even paraphrased his words.
None of Dickens's plagiarisers possessed his literary skill, but many became famous in their own right, such as Thomas Peckett Prest who published under the pseudonym "Bos", and GWM Reynolds the most noteworthy plagiarist.
Although they were usually badly written and poorly illustrated, these piracies were cheap, and the name of Boz and his famous and well-loved characters attracted a less discerning readership.
To some piracies Dickens objected strongly, even taking legal action, with limited success. In other circumstances he accepted plagiarisms as inevitable, and co-operated with adapters in their work.
Also featured in this display is the Dr. Sydney A. Henry and Miss M. Henry Collection
None of Dickens's plagiarisers possessed his literary skill, but many became famous in their own right, such as Thomas Peckett Prest who published under the pseudonym "Bos", and GWM Reynolds the most noteworthy plagiarist.
Although they were usually badly written and poorly illustrated, these piracies were cheap, and the name of Boz and his famous and well-loved characters attracted a less discerning readership.
To some piracies Dickens objected strongly, even taking legal action, with limited success. In other circumstances he accepted plagiarisms as inevitable, and co-operated with adapters in their work.
Also featured in this display is the Dr. Sydney A. Henry and Miss M. Henry Collection
From the Leslie C Staples Collection of Plagiarisms and Piracies