The passing of the Theatrical Licensing Act in 1737 effectively ended Fielding's career as a playwright. In 1739 Fielding turned to journalism and became editor of The Champion . Fielding was made a justice of the peace for Westminster and Middlesex in 1748. He campaigned against legal corruption and helped his half-brother, Sir John Fielding , establish the Bow Street Runners . In 1749 Fielding's novel, The History of Tom Jones was published to public acclaim.
Critics agree that it is one of the greatest comic novels in the English language.
Fielding continued as a journalist and his satirical journal, Covent Garden , continued to upset those in power. Throughout his life, Fielding suffered from poor health and by 1752 he could not move without the help of crutches. In an attempt to overcome his health problems, Henry Fielding went to live in Portugal but this was not successful and he died in Lisbon in 1754. Find the book you want in seconds by author, title or subject.