John Cleland (baptized 24 September 1709 – 23 January 1789) is an English novelist best known as the author of Fanny Hill: or, the Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure.
John Cleland, the oldest son of the Scot William Cleland (1673/4 – 1741) and Lucy Cleland (née DuPass), was born in Kingston upon Thames in Surrey but grew up in London, where his father was first an officer in the British Army and then a civil servant.
William Cleland was a friend to Alexander Pope, and Lucy Cleland was a friend or acquaintance of Pope, Viscount Bolingbroke, Chesterfield, and Horace Walpole.
The family possesses wealth and moves among the finest literary and artistic circles of London.
John Cleland had entered Westminster School in 1721, but he left or was expelled in 1723.
His departure was not for financial reasons, but whatever misbehavior or allegation had led to his departure is unknown.
He entered the British East India Company after leaving school, beginning as a soldier and working his way up into the civil service of the company, living in Bombay from 1728 to 1740.
He had returned to London when recalled by his father, who was dying.
Upon William's death, the estate went to Lucy for administration.
She, in turn, did not choose to support John.
Meanwhile, Cleland's two brothers had finished their education at Westminster and gone on to support themselves.
