What connections did Charles Dickens have with Canterbury?

Question

Both in terms of his own life and of depictions of Canterbury in his works.

Answer 1

As far as I can tell he didn't have any salient connection to Canterbury. He did live at Chatham in Kent and there are Dickens sites in Broadstairs, Rochester and Higham. The only book I recall that mentions Canterbury is "David Copperfield". David was sent to school there by Betsy Trotwood and later met Mr Micawber on the road to Canterbury. Dickens certainly knew Canterbury and there are some suggestions that he based certain sites on places in Canterbury. See this link.

http://www.aroundcanterbury.co.uk/around.php?pa=473

Hope this helps