Furnival's Inn (Dickens' former residence), London

Furnival's Inn, formerly located at the site of the current Holborn Bars building, was an Inn of Chancery – a less prestigious counterpart to the Inns of Court. Its establishment dates back to around 1383 when William de Furnival, 4th Lord Furnival, leased a boarding facility to Clerks of Chancery. These clerks were responsible for preparing writs for the king's courts and were aided by apprentices who received initial legal training. This arrangement persisted until 1817 when the Society of Furnival's Inn was dissolved. Subsequently, the medieval building was demolished, and in its place, a new block of flats was erected in 1818-1820, retaining the old name.

From 1834 to 1837, Charles Dickens, along with his brother Frederick, made their residence at Furnival's Inn. This decision was born out of necessity, as Dickens had to repay his father's debts to prevent him from returning to prison. Despite living in modest conditions, Dickens experienced a highly productive period during his stay at the Inn. Whilst lodging at the inn, he commenced work on "The Pickwick Papers", gained access to London's most influential literary circles, and eventually married Catherine Hogarth.

In Charles Dickens's novel "Martin Chuzzlewit," the character John Westlock also resides in Furnival's Inn and provides a description of the place: "a shady, quiet place, echoing to the footsteps of the stragglers who have business there; and rather monotonous and gloomy on summer evenings. ... there are snug chambers in those Inns where the bachelors live, and, for the desolate fellows they pretend to be, it is quite surprising how well they get on."

To commemorate Dickens's time at Furnival's Inn, a bust and a plaque have been installed, bearing witness to his presence there.