Sir John Fielding

[ca. 1773]

Portrait of Sir John Fielding. From a handwritten caption below the print: Sir John Fielding. The celebrated blind Bow Street Magistrate. He was half brother to Henry Fielding the novelist. Though blind from his childhood he discharged his office with great council and in 1761 received the honor of knighthood. He published some on the penal code and a miscellaneous collection entitled The Universal Mentor. He died in 1780. His autograph was sent me by the Rev. Bryan Hill the brother of the Rev. Roland Hill - see his letter. D. Darwian says "the late blind Justice Fielding walked in me room for the first time when he once shocked me and after speaking a few words said 'Thy room is about 22 feet long, 18 width and 12 high' all which he gauged by the greatest accuracy by the ear."