Magistrate. Probably born in Blenheim Street, St James's. Lived in Bow Street. Blinded aged 19 in a navy accident. 14 years younger than his half-brother Henry Fielding, he followed in his footsteps: became a justice of the peace, succeeded Henry as court justice, and moved into the house and office at Bow Street vacated by Henry, where he lived for most of the rest of his life. He continued Henry's pioneering work with the police force. Died at his house, Brompton Place, at the junction of Cromwell Lane and Brompton Park Lane.
The black headband across the forehead in this painting, and others, of Fielding indicated that he was blind. There is an interesting discussion on about whether this was ever a conventional signal for blindness, and whether it might be related to the blindfold worn by Justice.
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