The Uncommercial Traveller

The Uncommercial Traveller is a collection of Dickens' early literary sketches and reminiscences. Originally published as separate articles in a journal founded by the author in 1859, they were compiled into a single volume in 1861, and the collection was added to sporadically over subsequent years. These essays see Dickens adopt the persona of the 'Uncommercial Traveller', an explorer and investigator, something which sat well with his own great love of travel. Through these eyes he observed the hidden sides of Victorian London, particularly life in the dockland districts which he frequented during his insomnia-induced night-time wanderings, showing early displays of the wit and humour that were to become so characteristic of his literary style. His concern for the poor and oppressed, which would also become an enduring theme throughout many of his later novels, was here given early expression, particularly in such articles as 'Wapping Workhouse' and 'Titbull's Alms-Houses'.