Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**Title:** The Complex Origins of "Alice in Wonderland"
**Key Points:**
1. **Author's Background**: Charles Lutwidge (aka Lewis Carroll) was a math teacher, photographer, and deacon who met 4-year-old Alice Liddell in 1856 through her father, a university rector.
2. **Inspiration for the Book**: In 1862, Carroll told a story to Alice (then 10) and her sisters during a boat ride, which became "Alice's Adventures Underground" (later renamed "Alice in Wonderland").
3. **Controversies and Speculations**:
* Carroll's close relationship with the Liddell children raised eyebrows, even back then.
* A sudden, unexplained rupture in their friendship occurred in 1863.
* Theories about the rupture include:
+ Carroll's alleged inappropriate feelings for Alice (then 11).
+ A potential romance between Carroll and Alice's older sister, Lorina.
+ A discovered document suggesting Carroll's interest in the family's housekeeper, prompting the Liddells to distance themselves to avoid gossip.
4. **Legacy**:
* "Alice in Wonderland" (1865) became a massive success, even earning Queen Victoria's admiration.
* Alice Liddell lived with the fame, occasionally leveraging it, until her death in 1934 at 82.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, each numbered and in short sentences:
1. **Relationship Background**: The text discusses a relationship between Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) and a child, inspiring "Alice in Wonderland".
2. **Author's Profession**: Lewis Carroll was a mathematics teacher at a college and a deacon of the Anglican church.
3. **Meeting Alice**: Carroll met Alice Liddell (the inspiration for "Alice") on April 25, 1856, while taking photos at the Christian Church Cathedral in Oxford.
4. **Age Difference**: In 1856, Carroll was 24 years old, and Alice was 4 years old.
5. **Photography Hobby**: Carroll was also a photographer, which led to the Liddell family inviting him to take family photos.
6. **Photo Controversy Context**: Approximately 3,000 of Carroll's photos were of children, with 30 being nude or semi-nude, a common practice at the time.
7. **Boat Ride Storytelling**: On July 4, 1862, Carroll told the story of "Alice's Adventures" to Alice (then 10) and her sisters during a boat ride and picnic.
8. **Original Story Title**: The initial story was titled "Alice's Adventures Underground".
9. **Manuscript Gift**: Carroll gave Alice the handwritten, illustrated manuscript on November 26, 1864.
10. **Publication Details**:
* **First Publication (1865)**: The story was published as "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".
* **Sequel (1871)**: "Alice Through the Looking Glass" was published.
11. **Royal Fan**: Queen Victoria was a fan of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".
12. **Friendship Rupture**: The Liddell family suddenly ended their friendship with Carroll in 1863, for reasons unknown.
13. **Speculated Reasons for Rupture**:
* Inappropriate feelings for Alice.
* Possibility of Carroll wanting to marry Alice, which her parents deemed unsuitable.
* Recent findings suggest Carroll's interest in the family's housekeeper.
14. **Alice's Later Life**:
* **Age at Sequel's Publication**: Alice was 19 when "Alice Through the Looking Glass" was published.
* **Marriage and Finances**: After her husband's death, Alice sold the original manuscript for £15,400 to alleviate financial difficulties.
* **Death**: Alice Liddell died in 1934, aged 82.