The independent research I've done over the past 14 years, suggests that "A Christmas Carol" wasn't originally written by Charles Dickens; rather, I believe it was written by Mathew Franklin Whittier and his wife, Abby Poyen Whittier, in America during the years 1838-1839. Dickens took their manuscript and commercialized it within six weeks for extra cash.
Did he steal all the other Christmas stories he wrote? They all seem to have elements in common with A Christmas Carol. Sounds pretty far fetched, to be honest.
