About
Henry Fielding, born on 22 April 1707 at Sharpham Park (Somerset) and died on 8 October 1754 in Lisbon, was an English novelist and dramatist. Educated at Eton and the University of Leiden, he wrote some twenty satirical plays that led to the Licensing Act of 1737. Becoming a lawyer, he was appointed Justice of the Peace for Westminster and Middlesex, and with his half-brother John founded the Bow Street Runners, regarded as London's first professional police force. Author of Shamela, Joseph Andrews, Jonathan Wild, Tom Jones, and Amelia, he is considered a pioneer of the modern English novel.
* 1707-04-22 — † 1754-10-08
Major works
- Shamela (1741)novel
- Joseph Andrews (1742)novel
- The Life of Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great (1743)novel
- The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1749)novel
- Amelia (1751)novel
Key milestones
- 1737The Theatrical Licensing Act ends his career as a playwright.
- 1748Appointed Justice of the Peace for Westminster.
- 1749Appointed Justice of the Peace for Middlesex; publishes Tom Jones.
Themes
Social and political satireHypocrisy and moralityComedy and ironyJustice and lawHuman nature
Sources: britannica.com · findoes.etoncollege.com