Person    | Male  Born 16/9/1721  Died 4/9/1780

Sir John Fielding

Categories: Law

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 Straight Dope about whether this was ever a conventional signal for blindness, and whether it might be related to the blindfold worn by Justice.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sir John Fielding

Commemorated ati

Bow Street

Bow Street was formed about 1637. It has been the residence of many notable m...

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Other Subjects

Fig Tree Court

Fig Tree Court

Fig Tree Court , 1515 - 1666, was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, rebuilt in 1679 and again destroyed by enemy action 1940.

Building, Law

1 memorial
William Lambard

William Lambard

Antiquarian, lawyer, politician and writer. His name was also spelt Lambarde. Born London, he studied law at Lincoln's Inn, wrote the 'Perambulation of Kent', (the first English county history) and...

Person, History, Law, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
transportation to Australia

transportation to Australia

One of the (many) supposed origins of the word 'pom' for an Englishman, is that convicts were branded with the initials of 'Prisoner of Millbank'.

Event, Law, Transport, Australia

5 memorials
First Baron Aberconway

First Baron Aberconway

Politician. Born Charles Benjamin Bright McLaren in Edinburgh. He began his career in journalism before turning to the law. Elected as an M.P. in 1880. Member of the Privy Council. Became Baron Abe...

Person, Industry, Journalism / Publishing, Law, Politics & Administration, Scotland, Wales

1 memorial
Hackney parish watch house

Hackney parish watch house

A watch house was an early form of police station and prison. Criminals were held here temporarily.

Place, Law

1 memorial