What was the name of the home for fallen women founded by Charles Dickens?

Urania Cottage was the home for fallen women founded by Charles Dickens.

Dickens established Urania Cottage in 1847 with the philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts. Located in Shepherd’s Bush, London, it was intended as a reformatory and refuge for women who were homeless, destitute, or involved in prostitution. The project aimed to offer an alternative to prison or the workhouse.

Residents were taught household skills and expected to follow a disciplined daily routine. Dickens helped manage the house, handled applications, selected reading material, and took a close interest in its administration. Some women were later helped to emigrate, particularly to Australia, where they could seek new employment and social circumstances.

The name can be confused with generic descriptions such as “a refuge” or “a home for fallen women.” Those phrases describe the institution’s purpose, but Urania Cottage is its proper name. Dickens withdrew from active involvement after his relationship with Burdett-Coutts broke down in 1858, although the work continued for some time afterward.