Sir John Fielding (1721-1780), Magistrate and social reformer
Sitter in 10 portraits
Blinded at the age of 19 in a navy accident, Sir John Fielding set up his own business and studied law. The blind magistrate and social reformer worked with his half-brother and fellow magistrate, the novelist Henry Fielding, to raise standards of honesty and competence amongst those engaged in the administration of justice. At his half-brother's death in 1754, he was appointed magistrate at Bow Street in his place, becoming renowned as the "Blind Beak", and allegedly being able to recognise 3000 criminals by the sounds of their voices. He carried on his ideas on the prevention of robbery and campaigned to provide employment for distressed youths. He was knighted in 1761.
by James Macardell, after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, (1762)
NPG D1947
by John Raphael Smith, published by Carey & Watson, after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D18430
by and published by William Dickinson, and published by Thomas Watson, after Matthew William Peters
mezzotint, published 12 November 1778
NPG D18431
by John Raphael Smith, after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D36914
by John Raphael Smith, published by Carey & Watson, after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D36915
by John Raphael Smith, published by Carey & Watson, after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, published 1773
NPG D36916
by and published by William Dickinson, and published by Thomas Watson, after Matthew William Peters
mezzotint, published 12 November 1778
NPG D36918
Law and Crime
Politics, Government and Diplomacy
Place
London
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