JOHN FORSTER (1812-1876), an English-born writer, rose from humble beginnings to acclaim as a critic of drama and literature, making his name well-known in London's literary circles. Forster was befriended by intellectuals of the time, Robert Browning and Alfred, Lord Tennyson, but was most intimate with Charles Dickens becoming chief advisor to the author on his works written after The Pickwick Papers (1836).

1. 1812-22. Childhood; 2. 1822-4. Hard experiences in boyhood; 3. 1824-30. School days and start in life; 4. 1831-5. Reporters' gallery and newspaper literature; 5. 1836. First book, and origin of Pickwick; 6. 1837. Writing the Pickwick Papers; 7. 1837 and 1838. Between Pickwick and Nickleby; 8. 1838. Oliver Twist; 9. 1838-9. Nicholas Nickleby; 10. 1838-9. During and after Nickleby; 11. 1839. New literary project; 12. 1840-1. The Old Curiosity Shop; 13. 1840. Devonshire Terrace and Broadstairs; 14. 1841. Barnaby Rudge; 15. 1841. Public dinner in Edinburgh; 16. 1841. Adventures in the Highlands; 17. 1841. Again at Broadstairs; 18. 1841. Eve of the visit to America; 19. 1842. First impressions of America; 20. 1842. Second impressions of America; 21. 1842. Philadelphia, Washington, and the South; 22. 1842. Canal boat journeys: bound Far West; 23. 1842. The Far West: to Niagara Falls; 24. 1842. Niagara and Montreal.