Henry Fielding

Novelist

Birthday April 22, 1707

Birth Sign Taurus

Birthplace England

DEATH DATE Oct 8, 1754 (47)

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About

A British author and playwright, he is best known for his 1749 novel, Tom Jones, which, at 346,747 words, is divided into eighteen smaller books. His other literary works include the 1732 satirical play, The Covent Garden Tragedy, and the 1741 novel, An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews.

Before Fame

He studied at Eton College. His first literary publication was a poem entitled The Masquerade.

Trivia

He co-founded The Bow Street Runners, the inaugural London police force.

Family Life

With his first wife, Charlotte Craddock, he had five children, all of whom died young. Fielding later married Mary Daniel, his pregnant ex-maid, and had five more children.

Associated With

He and Christopher Smart were both eighteenth-century British authors.