Henry Fielding was just just 47 when he died, this day, in 1754. English novelist, dramtist and satirist, Fielding was a constant thorn in the side of ruling governments of the day. In fact, during one period in his early career when he wrote for the theatre, his pen was so savage that a law was created to blunt it, called the Theatre Licensing Act. In actual fact it was simply brutal censorship by the then Prime Minister, Robert Walpole. Any new play had to be approved before it could hit the stage. Along with Fielding's Tom Thumb, plays causing a fuss then included John Gay's Beggars Opera and Henry Carey's Chrononhotonthologos.
He wrote because he needed the money, and since he got himself censored, and plays did not bring in the cash anymore, he returned to his first vocation, law. He didn't so well at that and money became tight. In fact, money would remain a constant worry in the Fielding house.
He loved satire and didn't have the time of day for Walpole, so while his plays were quieted, his novels weren't. The History of the Life of the Late Mr Jonathan Wild is an example of his hatred of the liberal ruling class.
1749 saw the publication of Tom Jones, his greatest work. Written in the picaresque style, the novel still holds up. Its detailed accounts of the day and robust sense of humour make it worthy of any bookshelf. Other lesser known works credited to him include a real odd piece about a female transvestite called The Female Husband, where this person is brought to court because he/she tried to marry another woman.
His interest in law and things conseravtive got him appointed London's Chief Magistrate. He took the post very seriously and together with his little brother John worked hard to make London safer and criminal justice, well, more just. It is said that he and John created London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners.
He wrote because he needed the money, and since he got himself censored, and plays did not bring in the cash anymore, he returned to his first vocation, law. He didn't so well at that and money became tight. In fact, money would remain a constant worry in the Fielding house.
He loved satire and didn't have the time of day for Walpole, so while his plays were quieted, his novels weren't. The History of the Life of the Late Mr Jonathan Wild is an example of his hatred of the liberal ruling class.
1749 saw the publication of Tom Jones, his greatest work. Written in the picaresque style, the novel still holds up. Its detailed accounts of the day and robust sense of humour make it worthy of any bookshelf. Other lesser known works credited to him include a real odd piece about a female transvestite called The Female Husband, where this person is brought to court because he/she tried to marry another woman.
His interest in law and things conseravtive got him appointed London's Chief Magistrate. He took the post very seriously and together with his little brother John worked hard to make London safer and criminal justice, well, more just. It is said that he and John created London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners.
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