The Criticism of Henry Fielding

by Ioan Williams

Published 28 February 2011

First published in 1970, this selection of Fielding’s criticism is an important contribution to our understanding of Fielding and his age. It directs considerable light upon Fielding’s own critical views, with regard both to his own works and to eighteenth century life and literature at large. The volume includes many of Fielding’s well-known and important statements on literature, society and morals, as well as many which are now difficult to obtain. The selection presents the full range of Fielding’s criticism, showing the relations between his statements concerning literature and his opinions on other matters, and drawing on the complete body of his work. The editor has provided a large-scale analytical introduction.


The documents collected in this volume, first published in 1970, trace the development of novel criticism during one of the most formative periods in the history of fiction: from 1700-1800. The material includes prefaces to collections, translations and original novels; essays written for journals modelled on the Spectator; passages taken from miscellanies and from books written primarily for some purpose unconnected with the novel; reviews from the monthly reviews; and introductions to the collected works of certain authors.

This volume covers 100 years of criticism and creative writing, and the materials are arranged chronologically. Each of the documents is headed by an Introductory Note and the Editor has provided an important historical introduction.