The founder and first President was E.S. Williamson, a well-known lecturer and interpreter of Dickens; Professor Goldwin Smith was named Honourary President. The Fellowship became famous for its annual dramas, which were performed at venues all over Toronto, including many churches, Jarvis and Harbord Collegiates, and the Conservatory of Music Hall on College Street.

From the beginning of the group, it was decided that any funds raised would be devoted to children. Over the years the group endowed four cots at the Hospital for Sick Children (earlier under different names), contributed cottages and a dining hall to a childrenâs camp in Bolton, and hosted Christmas parties for ill and needy children.

Among the highlights of the early years was a visit to Toronto by Charles Dickensâ son, Alfred Tennyson Dickens, hosted and arranged by the Toronto Fellowship. Dickensâ Massey Hall ãrecitalä was entitled ãMy Father and His Works.ä The very successful evening was chaired by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Gibson, Honourary President of the Toronto Branch of the Dickens Fellowship.