Conversation so far:
What was significant about Charles Dickens' death?
It was said in Charles Dickens' epitaph that by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world.“
What was the cause of Charles Dickens' death?
Charles Dickens' died from a stroke.
What happened to Edwin Drood after Charles Dickens' death?
With Charles Dickens' death on 9 June 1870 the novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood was left unfinished, only six of a planned twelve instalments having been published.

Question: What was he up to in the years up until his death?
Self-contained rewrite: What was Charles Dickens up to in the years up until his death?