JOHN FORSTER (1812-1876), an English-born writer, rose from humble beginnings to acclaim as a critic of drama and literature, making his name well-known in London's literary circles. Forster was befriended by intellectuals of the time, Robert Browning and Alfred, Lord Tennyson, but was most intimate with Charles Dickens becoming chief advisor to the author on his works written after The Pickwick Papers (1836).
1. 1812-22. Childhood
2. 1822-4. Hard experiences in boyhood
3. 1824-30. School days and start in life
4. 1831-5. Reporters' gallery and newspaper literature
5. 1836. First book, and origin of Pickwick
6. 1837. Writing the Pickwick Papers
7. 1837 and 1838. Between Pickwick and Nickleby
8. 1838. Oliver Twist
9. 1838-9. Nicholas Nickleby
10. 1838-9. During and after Nickleby
11. 1839. New literary project
12. 1840-1. The Old Curiosity Shop
13. 1840. Devonshire Terrace and Broadstairs
14. 1841. Barnaby Rudge
15. 1841. Public dinner in Edinburgh
16. 1841. Adventures in the Highlands
17. 1841. Again at Broadstairs
18. 1841. Eve of the visit to America
19. 1842. First impressions of America
20. 1842. Second impressions of America
21. 1842. Philadelphia, Washington, and the South
22. 1842. Canal boat journeys: bound Far West
23. 1842. The Far West: to Niagara Falls
24. 1842. Niagara and Montreal.
