Henry Fielding was a pioneer of the English novel, best known for his masterpiece Tom Jones. His work is characterized by its panoramic view of English society and its robust, realistic characters. Before becoming a novelist, he was a successful playwright whose political satires led to the Licensing Act of 1737. In addition to his literary career, he co-founded the Bow Street Runners, London's first professional police force. His narrative techniques, particularly the use of an intrusive, ironic narrator, established the foundations of the modern novel.