Henry Fielding
Henry Fielding | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 April 1707 |
| Died | 8 October 1754 (aged 47) |
| Pen name | "Captain Hercules Vinegar", "H. Scriblerus Secundus"; some work published anonymously |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Nationality | English |
| Education | Eton College |
| Period | 1728–1754 |
| Genre | Comedy, satire, picaresque |
| Literary movement | Enlightenment, Augustan Age |
| Relatives | Sarah Fielding, John Fielding |
Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English writer and judge known for the use of humour and satire in his works. His famous novels include Shamela (1741), Joseph Andrews (1742), The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1749) and Amelia (1751). Along with Samuel Richardson, Fielding is seen as the founder of the traditional English novel. As well as being a novelist, Fielding was also a playwright, known for his satirical comedies The Author's Farce (1730), Tom Thumb (1730), The Letter Writers (1731) and The Tragedy of Tragedies (1731). He also played an important role in the history of law enforcement in the United Kingdom, using his authority as a magistrate to found the Bow Street Runners, London's first professional police force.