Author Description

Discoveries in archives have recently brought to light many letters by Henry Fielding (1707-54) and by his sister, the novelist and classicist, Sarah Fielding (1710-68). This book presents their entire extant correspondence, edited and annotated. The collection illuminates Henry Fielding's activities as author, lawyer, and magistrate, and illustrates his character and personal relationships. The heart of this collection is Henry Fielding's correspondence with his closest friend, James "Hermes" Harris. The Harris papers also reveal Sarah Fielding's literary and scholarly interests and her relationship with her brother. Other letters in the collection will serve to clarify her friendships with Richardson, Garrick, and Elizabeth Montagu. Included in the appendix are letters from other members of the family that should be of interest to biographers of Henry and Sarah Fielding.