Sir John Fielding, who lived from 1721 to 1780, was an English magistrate and social reformer who, despite losing his sight in an accident at nineteen, became a leading figure in London law enforcement. The younger half-brother of the novelist and magistrate Henry Fielding, he worked alongside his brother to combat corruption in London's justice system and co-founded the Bow Street Runners, often described as the first professional police force in London. Known as the Blind Beak for his reputed ability to recognize criminals by voice alone, he was knighted in 1761.
Facts
BirthplaceSt James's, London, England 2 Defining ContributionCo-founded the Bow Street Runners and established the basis for the first police criminal records department 1 Notable Work RoleSourced to the subject's own account FAQs
Why was John Fielding known as the Blind Beak of Bow Street?
He was a blind magistrate at Bow Street who is said to have recognised 3,000 criminals by voice alone.
Fielding was blind for his entire crime-fighting career. He became renowned as the blind beak of Bow Street, where beak was a common slang name for people in authority. He is said to have recognised 3,000 criminals by their voices alone, relying on his heightened senses of sound and touch.
Connections
Institutions Founded
Source Wikipedia: John Fielding
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Nationality
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Source Wikipedia: John FieldingLead paragraphtier 3Quote, Lead paragraph
an English magistrate and social reformer of the 18th century
Sources
1. John Fielding - Wikipedia
Career section
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.
Lead section, opening sentence
Sir John Fielding (16 September 1721-4 September 1780) was an English magistrate and social reformer of the 18th century.
Career, paragraph 2
formed the first professional police force, the Bow Street Runners.
Career, paragraph 3
renowned as the 'Blind Beak'
View the Source2. Sir John Fielding - The National Archives
Article, opening sectionQuote, Article, opening section
Born in 1721 in St James's, London
3. Wikipedia: John Fielding
Lead paragraph
an English magistrate and social reformer of the 18th century
Institutions Founded: Bow Street Runners, Career section
When Henry died in 1754, John was appointed magistrate at Bow Street in his place, becoming renowned as the 'Blind Beak'
In Group: Criminal Law and Sentencing Scholars and Reformers, Article text
was an English magistrate and social reformer of the 18th century
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