Explore the life of Henry Fielding through a meticulous biography that uncovers his trials, works, and enduring influence. From his early years to the height of his literary fame, this edition frames his place in eighteenth‑century writing with clarity and care.
The book surveys Fielding’s family background, education, and the arc of his career as a playwright, novelist, and magistrate. It situates his major works—Joseph Andrews, Tom Jones, Amelia—within the context of his personal experiences, financial struggles, and political commitments, while noting connections to contemporaries and rivals. Biographical details are presented with an emphasis on sources, chronology, and the development of Fielding’s distinctive voice on stage, page, and public life.
- Clear, source‑based account of Fielding’s life, from birth to death, with emphasis on key events and turning points.
- Context for major works and how they arose from personal and professional experiences.
- Discussion of contemporaries, critics, and Fielding’s public roles, including his journalism and legal career.
- Appendices and notes that illuminate lesser‑known aspects of Fielding’s world and influence.
Ideal for readers interested in literary history, biographical study, and the shaping of early English fiction.
Henry Fielding (1707-54), novelist and dramatist, is the subject of this biography by the poet Austin Dobson (1840-1921), first published in 1883. Best remembered today for Tom Jones, Fielding was immensely prolific as a writer and controversialist, but also worked as an innovatory magistrate in London.