1870

April to September

 * The novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens published in serialized installments. The story, inspired by Dickens' encounter with the Ninth Doctor, Rose Tyler and the Gelth in Cardiff the preceding Christmas, would never be finished due to Dickens' death in June. (DW: The Unquiet Dead)

June

 * 8 - Charles Dickens dies before he is able to complete The Mystery of Edwin Drood, inspired by his adventure with the Doctor. (DW: The Unquiet Dead)

History of Doctor Who

 * Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is first published. The enigmatic character of Captain Nemo would be a model for Sydney Newman's original concept for the Doctor.