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Henry Fielding

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description Henry Fielding Overview

Henry Fielding (1707–1754) was an English novelist, playwright, and magistrate central to the development of the English comic novel. His masterpiece, 'The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling' (1749), uses a picaresque structure to trace its hero's journey across English society while exploring class, hypocrisy, and virtue. With his half-brother John Fielding, he co-founded the Bow Street Runners, London's first organized police force. He was also a prolific and controversial dramatist.

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What is Henry Fielding's most famous novel?

Henry Fielding's masterpiece is The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, which was published in 1749. The picaresque novel is renowned for its intricate plot and is considered a foundational text in the English literary tradition.

Did Henry Fielding have a career outside of writing novels?

Yes, Fielding was also a prominent magistrate in London. He and his half-brother John founded the Bow Street Runners in 1749, which is widely considered London's first professional police force.

Which novel did Henry Fielding write as a parody of Samuel Richardson's Pamela?

Fielding wrote An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews in 1741. It was a direct satirical attack on the moralizing tone of Samuel Richardson's massive bestseller Pamela.

What theatre did Henry Fielding manage before focusing on law and novels?

Before turning to law and writing novels, Fielding managed the Little Theatre in the Haymarket. He produced highly critical political satires, which eventually provoked the government to pass the Theatrical Licensing Act of 1737 to censor stage plays.