Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was an English novelist and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read today. A Christmas Carol is arguably the most famous novella written by Charles Dickens and remains a cornerstone of classic English literature. Published in December 1843, the book was an instant success and played a significant role in revitalizing the traditions of Christmas, influencing how the holiday is celebrated in the Western world to this day.