Final answer:
During the time of Edgar Allan Poe's death in 1849, Charles Dickens was deeply engaged in his literary career, focusing on novels that depicted social injustices and helped raise awareness about the conditions of the poor in urban settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Edgar Allan Poe died in 1849, Charles Dickens was in the middle of his literary career. At that time, Dickens was known for his depiction of the harsh realities of life for the poor and working-class in urban settings. His novels often highlighted social injustices and helped to raise social awareness about the plight of children and others living in difficult circumstances. Although the specific activities of Dickens in the exact year of Poe’s death are not detailed here, the ongoing theme of Dickens's work during this period remained focused on social commentary and reform.