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Charles Burton Fairfax (1859–1941)

The death was reported from London yesterday of Mr. Charles Burton Fairfax, eldest son of the late Sir James Reading Fairfax. Born in Sydney in 1859, Mr Fairfax was educated at Mr Southey's private school at Mittagong, a well known establishment in those days. He was admitted as a partner in the firm of John Fairfax and Sons in 1888 a year before his brothers, the late Mr Geoffrey E. Fairfax and the late Sir James Oswald Fairfax. He retired from the partnership in 1904, and had since lived in London.

His wife, whom he married in 1885, was Miss Florence Marie Frazer, daughter of the Hon John Frazer, M.L.C.

Generous and warm-hearted he is remembered with affection by those who were associated with him for those qualities which won for him enduring friendships—his kindness of heart, his plain, homely unaffected ways and his never-failing readiness to be of service to whomsoever needed his help. He was a member of the first NSW South Wales Lancers and an active supporter of the Queen Victoria Homes and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

A quiet, even shy man to the outside world, Mr Fairfax avoided public life himself. Yet broad in his views and sympathies he followed public affairs with the keenest interest and during his long residence in London played no small part in advancing Australian interests whenever opportunity to do so occurred. He made occasional visits to Australia. Although living in London he retained his membership of the Union Club, the Royal Sydney Golf Club and the Australian Golf Club.

His only son is Captain J. Griffyth Fairfax who was a member of the British House of Commons for Norwich from 1924 to 1929

Original publication

Citation details

'Fairfax, Charles Burton (1859–1941)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/fairfax-charles-burton-13802/text24651, accessed 19 March 2024.

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