Biographer and critic Peter Ackroyd's upbringing was characterized by his exposure to **London**'s rich cultural and literary history. Growing up in a working-class family, his early experiences included a fascination with the city’s **mythology** and its influence on writers. Ackroyd’s education at **Cambridge University** further shaped his literary perspectives, enabling him to combine history and literature in his works. His insightful biographies of authors like **Charles Dickens** and **William Blake** reflect his deep engagement with the literary landscape. These foundational experiences have made Ackroyd a notable figure in biographical criticism and a vital interpreter of British literary culture.