John Cleland was an English novelist and writer, best known for his controversial work, Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, published in 1748. This novel is often regarded as one of the first erotic novels in the English language and has sparked discussions about censorship and literary freedom. Born in 1709, Cleland faced various challenges throughout his life, including financial difficulties and imprisonment for debt. Despite these hardships, he continued to write and produced several other works, including plays and poetry, contributing to the literary landscape of his time. Cleland passed away in 1789.