Sarah Fielding

1710-1768

Sarah Fielding lived for a time at Widcombe Lodge, Bath. Like her celebrated brother Henry Fielding, she wrote novels, the best known of which was The Adventures of David Simple. She was also a pioneer in the field of children’s fiction, at a time when this particular genre was virtually unknown. Ralph Allen, who lived at Prior Park nearby, encouraged her greatly, and left her £100 in his will. Henry Fielding stayed at Widcombe Lodge several times and, with his sister, often visited Allen at Prior Park. There is a bronze tablet on the Lodge, commemorating both authors; it was unveiled by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in June, 1906.