The History of Tom Jones

Unique Elements Author Biography About The History of Tom Jones “There are a set of religious, or rather moral writers, who teach that virtue is the certain road to happiness, and vice to misery, in this world. A very wholesome and comfortable doctrine, and to which we have but one objection, namely, that it is not true.” The History of Tom Jones is a classic humorous novel by English author and dramatist Henry Fielding, first published in 1749. A celebrated picaresque genre work, it is also amongst the earliest examples of the novel form in English literature. The titular character Tom is a foundling of unknown parentage, raised by Mr. Allworthy on his family estate, and hopelessly in love with the lovely Sophia Western, the daughter of a neighbouring squire. This exuberant and bawdy comic tale follows Tom as he is expelled from his home and sets out into the world to seek his fortune.