Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

By: Lewis Carroll

About the Author

The Maddness Behind the Story

Lewis Carroll was born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson on January 27th, 1832 in Daresbury, Cheshire, England. He was the third child born to his family out of eleven. It is said he would entertain himself and his family by performing magic tricks and marionette shows, as well as writing poetry for his homemade newspapers. Contrary to his whimsicle storytelling style, he studied at Christ Church College, Oxford to become a mathematician. After graduation he took a teaching position at his previous place of study. Although he never preached, Carroll also was ordained as a deacon.

While working at the college, Lewis Carroll started to pursue photography. It is said that he had a stammer, and was able to speak more naturally around children than adults. This is why he would often choose children as the subject of his portraits. The new Dean's three daughters, Alice, Lorina, and Edith Liddell were some of Carroll's models, and he quickly formed a friendship with the Dean and his family.

On the day of July 4th, 1862, Carroll, his friend Robinson Duckworth, and the three Liddell girls took a trip up the Thames for a picnic on the bank. On which occasion Lewis Carroll told them the fairy-tale of "Alice's Adventures Underground". Alice Liddell enjoyed the tale so much that she is quoted as telling Carroll, "Oh, Mr. Dodgson, I wish you would write out Alice's adventures for me!". Thus, the fantasy story was born. Lewis Carroll used Alice Liddell as inspiration for his main character, and also illustrsted the first version of the novel himself. The updated version of the book we all know and love today was first published in 1865. By the time of his death, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" had become the most popular children's book in England.