Charles Dickens’s Children No. 6 – Alfred

Alfred D'Orsay Tennyson Dickens, the sixth born of Charles Dickens’s ten children, was born
in 1845 and named after his godfathers, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and French artist and Dandy
the Comte d'Orsay.

His father hoped he would go into the army, but he failed his entrance exams and at other
ventures. At the age of 19, fond of fine clothes and beginning to run up bills in his father’s
name, Charles persuaded him to seek his fortune conveniently far away in Australia, where
he remained for 45 years.

With his brother Edward, he established a livestock station and married the renowned
beauty Augusta Devlin with whom he had two children, but she died of her injuries after
being thrown from her carriage when her horse bolted.

When recession hit Australia he began giving lectures on his father’s life and works and
while in New York, he died suddenly at the age of 66 after what was reported as acute
indigestion.

Other than his brother, he saw little of his family throughout his life.

Music: Edward Elgar: Enigma variations -Theme VIII. W.N. Halle Orchestra, John Barbirolli
(1947) Public Domain

[Leslie.]

Thank you for another video on Dickens’ children. I hope you can find enough time and info for all but Dora to continue the series.

[anduril]

That acute indigestion was actually a heart attack. So if you feel like you’ve got bad indigestion for no reason and you over 60 and not in great health it’s most likely a heart attack

[drew]

Lived his whole life off of what his dad did