Henry Fielding: a Memoir Including Newly Discovered Letters and Records with Illustrations from Contemporary Prints

A fresh look at the life of England’s famed novelist arrives in this richly detailed memoir, built around letters, legal records, and newspaper extracts that have never before been published. The newly uncovered documents trace Fielding’s early years in Dorset, the poignant loss of his beloved wife, and his vigorous push for social and legislative reform while serving as a London magistrate. By focusing on his personal correspondence—especially a moving letter written during a voyage to Lisbon—the work paints a vivid portrait of the man behind the celebrated novels.

Interwoven with the text are rare contemporary prints, including the only lifetime sketch of Fielding and a series of political cartoons that reveal how his peers saw him. These illustrations, from Hogarth’s familiar plates to little‑known mezzotints, bring the 18th‑century literary and civic world to life. Together, the letters and images offer listeners a nuanced, human portrait of a writer whose influence extended far beyond the page.