≡Alice was a real person
Historical research confirms that the iconic Alice, protagonist of Alice in Wonderland, was inspired by a real person: Alice Liddell, daughter of Henry Liddell, a close friend of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll
Dodgson, who was a mathematician, photographer, and writer, developed a special friendship with the Liddell family, often spending time with the three daughters, Alice, Lorina, and Edith.
The curiosity, imagination, and personality of young Alice are said to have captivated Carroll, who, during a boat trip in 1862, began telling fantastic stories to entertain the girls. Those improvised tales later became the book published in 1865, immortalizing Alice as a symbol of childhood innocence and adventure.
Beyond the literary inspiration, documents and letters from the time show that Dodgson photographed Alice Liddell, capturing her at different moments of her childhood, which reinforces the connection between the character and the real girl. Although the book is full of fantasy, many details—such as her incessant curiosity and courage in the face of the unknown—reflect traits of Alice Liddell herself.
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