Everything you need to know about Grip
If you know anything about the life and times of Charles Dickens (born 7th February 1812), you may be aware that the author had an unusual pet, a raven. The raven is pretty famous and appears in one of Dickens’ novels. It may be that you associate ravens more with Poe, but the two are connected. Here are some facts about Dickens and Grip, his pet raven.
character. Those familiar with the author’s works will know that that novel is
Barnaby Rudge.When Dickens wrote Barnaby Rudge, he sent a copy to his
contemporary and associate, Edgar Allen Poe to review. Poe responded that he
liked it, but thought the raven needed a larger and more central role. He was
especially drawn to a line about the raven tapping at the door. Several years later,
Poe published “The Raven.”
The original Grip did stick around however as Dickens had him stuffed
and mounted in his office. The raven would eventually be sold with
the author’s personal effects upon his death.
and mounted in his office. The raven would eventually be sold with
the author’s personal effects upon his death.
Today, Grip sits in the Free Library of Philadelphia
