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.

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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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Bridewell Palace / Prison

Bridewell Palace / Prison

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Thomas Godfrey Baynes

Thomas Godfrey Baynes

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Hackney parish watch house

Hackney parish watch house

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Niblett Hall

Niblett Hall

Funded by William Niblett, Niblett Hall was built in 1932, survived WW2, but were later destroyed by fire and demolished in 1992. Replaced by the Littleton Building.

Building, Law

1 memorial
Staple Inn Hall

Staple Inn Hall

Staple Inn Hall, built in 1580, was destroyed by a flying bomb on the 24th August 1944. The Hall was rebuilt in its original form in 1955, incorporating timber & other materials saved from the...

Building, Community / Clubs, Law

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Lyons first teashop

Lyons first teashop

See Joseph Lyons and J. Lyons & Co. The photo is probably c.1930/40s.

Place, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial