News imageHistory's Heroes, History's Secret Heroes, Charles Dickens and the Train Crash

History's Heroes

History's Secret Heroes

Charles Dickens and the Train Crash

30 December 2025

29 minutes

Available for over a year

In June 1865, the writer Charles Dickens was sitting in the first-class carriage of a train when it crashed outside of Kent. The horrific accident would require all his courage and threaten to reveal his most closely guarded secret.

Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history.

A BBC Studios production.

Producer: Michael LaPointe

Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann

Executive Producer: Paul Smith

Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian Roberts