John Cleland, an English novelist, dramatist, journalist, translator, and critic, is most renowned for Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, commonly known as Fanny Hill. This epistolary novel, which chronicles the life of a country girl turned savvy prostitute, has been both censored and acclaimed since its 18th-century publication, becoming a classic of its time. Cleland's work is notable for its satirical critique of the era's morality, using euphemistic and metaphorical language to navigate explicit themes without vulgarity. As noted by John Hollander, the novel adheres to the conventions of successful erotic literature while presenting an appealing protagonist.

Cleland's life was marked by financial struggles, notably leading to the creation of Fanny Hill while in debtors' prison. Although the novel enjoyed commercial success, Cleland saw little financial gain. His subsequent works, including Memoirs of a Coxcomb, did not achieve the same notoriety. The critical reception of Fanny Hill evolved over time; initially dismissed as "pornographic," it later received scholarly attention as an important work of the "whore biography" genre. Critics such as Slepian and Morrissey have defended it as a comic novel and a narrative of education, while Leonie Kramer contended it lacked literary merit.

Drawing comparisons to Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe, Cleland's work is often contrasted with moral tales like Samuel Richardson’s Pamela, subverting traditional narratives by showing a protagonist who thrives through her sexual exploits. As Nancy K. Miller suggests, it can be read as a female Bildungsroman. Critics have also explored the novel's philosophical underpinnings, as Leo Braudy discusses its materialist influences, and its innovative narrative structure, noted by Malcolm Bradbury, highlights Cleland’s attempt to unify episodic storytelling in novel form.