30 Mar 2023
On This Day
30 March 2023 Susannah

30 March 1850: Household Words is launched

Household Words Magazine

The title of Charles Dickens’ magazine, Household Words, comes from Shakespeare’s Henry V: “Familiar in their mouths as household words.” Dickens’ preface sets out his aspirations for Household Words:
“We aspire to live in the Household affections, and to be numbered among the Household thoughts, of our readers. …No mere utilitarian spirit, no iron binding of the mind to grim realities, will give a harsh tone to our Household Words.” [1]

Charles Dickens’ two-penny magazine of original short fiction and social journalism, Household Words was launched to widespread publicity on 30 March 1850. It continued publication until 28 May 1859.

The magazine was issued weekly, but also monthly and as bound annual volumes. Most articles were unsigned; many were edited or written by Dickens or his co-editor William Henry Wills. The first issue featured Lizzie Leigh, a story by Mrs Gaskell (author of Cranford), and other stories, poems, and anecdotes.

Household Words aimed to provide both entertainment and enlightenment to its readers, blending fiction with informative articles. Dickens was not only the editor but also a major contributor to the magazine, using it as a platform to showcase his social and moral concerns. Early editions reflected his editorial vision, often referring to social issues, education, and the conditions of the working class.

The magazine featured a mix of fiction, non-fiction, essays, and serialized novels, although these were not part of the original plan for his magazine. Dickens’ tenth novel, Hard Times, was run in twenty instalments to help boost sagging magazine circulation. A Tale of Two Cities was also seralised.

Over time, Dickens faced conflicts with some of his contributors and decided to leave the editorship in 1859, leading to the transformation of the magazine into All the Year Round, which continued to be a significant literary publication.