Charles Dickens’s Children No. 7 – Sydney

The seventh child of Charles Dickens gave his mother a difficult time with a prolonged
breech delivery, but as a boy he was sparky and determined and soon became his father’s
favourite son.

From a young age he wanted to go to sea and after completing his training departed for
America as a midshipman at the age of fourteen aboard the finest vessel of the fleet
according to his proud father.

Promoted but then demoted for misconduct, his naval career was rather chequered and like
his brothers he had a tendency to run up debts. His father declared he would not pay them
off, but he did for a while, before finally giving up on him, banishing him from the family home
and writing, “I begin to wish that he were honestly dead”.

His wish was granted two years later when Sydney, ill with “African fever”, probably malaria
or yellow fever, died at sea at the age of 25.

Another sad end for one of Charle’s Dickens’s children.

Music: Vivaldi Four Seasons: Winter: John Harrison, Violin. Wichita State University
Chamber Players, Robert Turizziani, Conductor.

[jwsuicides]

Dickens...always the warm loving man...

[brandip]

How could a parent ever wish death upon his or her child? What a sad story.

[kristinaStinson-yf]

Wish you would continue to explore other famous people's childrens lives, they are fascinating, All quite revealing. Thank you very much for these excellent presentations.

[frances]

That’s so sad, he must of had so much guilt for saying that!!!

[elizabethlinsay]

How in the world can you wish your child dead?? 🙏

[Leslie.]

Even the favorite had a hard time living up to his father's expectations. I feel like parents of serial criminals might wish their children ill, but jeepers I don't see Sydney deserving banishment.

[Birdseyeview]

Why would they show a black woman, when they mention that the boy couldn’t pay his debts?? That makes no sense

[mckavitt]

The as yet unborn baby "gave his mother a hard time during delivery". Jeez. Poor babe.

[karenhill]

ANOTHER sad tragic tell
That's ALL that's on here on YTUBE can't we ever hear anything happy...I have a young Son. 22 ..this was heartbreaking

[nqgzxff]

doesnt sound like a great father, nowadays a good father would not like his child to go away to sea at 14 years old.

[ThomasAllan-uptd]

The narrator, himself, whether consciously or subconsciously, claims from the very start that he gave his mother a very difficult time during her pregnancy. As if it was his fault!

[markrichards]

I honestly don't know why Dickens is still read in schools. I think he was a pretty mediocre writer.

[Maxcine-jy]

He's not the only parent to lose a child they are all precious in Gods eyes so he's not

[beckynelson]

A pity Dickens had favourites.Bad parenting.Dysfunctional home.

[ThomasAllan-uptd]

The narrator, himself, whether consciously or subconsciously, claims from the very start that he gave his mother a very difficult time during her pregnancy. As if it was his fault!