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John Fielding was the younger half-brother of novelist, playwright and chief magistrate Henry Fielding. Despite being blinded in a navy accident at the age of 19, John set up his own business and, in his spare time, studied law with Henry.

Appointed Henry's assistant in 1750, John helped him to root out corruption and improve the competence of those engaged in administering justice in London. They formed the first professional police force, the Bow Street Runners, and, through the regular circulation of a 'police gazette' containing descriptions of known criminals, Fielding also established the basis for the first police criminal records department.

When Henry died in 1754Events June 19 The Albany Convention of New England Colonies proposes an American Union Duke of Saxony takes the Colditz Castle to his own use Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Mahmud I ( 1730-1754) to Osman III (1754- 1757) Beginning of the Fr, John was appointed magistrate at Bow StreetBow Street is a thoroughfare in Covent Garden, Westminster London. It features as one of the streets on the standard London Monopoly board. The area around Bow Street was developed by the Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford in the 1630s. Oliver Cromwell in his place, becoming renowned as the "Blind Beak" allegedly able to recognise 3000 criminals by the sounds of their voices. He also continued to develop his ideas on crime prevention and youth employment. He was knightFor the chess piece, see knight (chess). In former times, a knight was a warrior or nobleman; today a knight is a person who has been given a royal recognition. In the United Kingdom the knight is styled Sir''. The female styling is usually Dame''. Rootsed in 1761Events January 16 British capture Pondicherry, India from the French. February 8 Earthquake in London breaks chimneys in Limehouse and Poplar March 8 Second earthquake in North London, Hampstead and Highgate In Dutch Guayana a “state” formed by escaped sl.