Why has Henry Fielding been called the father of the English novel?

Sir Walter Scott famously dubbed Henry Fielding the "father of the English novel," a title that reflects his foundational role in the history of literature. While he was not the first person to write a novel in English, he is credited with being the first to approach the genre with a fully developed theory.1

Fielding’s contribution was transformative because he brought a sophisticated, structured approach to prose fiction. In works such as Joseph Andrews, Tom Jones, and Amelia, he established a tradition of realism that utilized panoramic surveys of contemporary society. He openly incorporated devices from traditionally reputable modes—such as epic poetry, painting, and drama—into his prose, famously describing his work as a "comic Epic-Poem in Prose". By doing so, he helped elevate the novel as a serious literary form, creating a template for English fiction that remained dominant until the end of the 19th century.123