James Fairfax facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Fairfax
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| Born |
James Oswald Fairfax
27 March 1933 Sydney
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| Died | 11 January 2017 (aged 83) Bowral, New South Wales
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Education |
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| Occupation | Company director; philanthropist |
| Parent(s) | Sir Warwick Fairfax Betty Fairfax (née Wilson) |
| Relatives |
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James Oswald Fairfax AC (born March 27, 1933 – died January 11, 2017) was an important Australian businessman. He was also a generous person who gave a lot of money and support to good causes. James Fairfax was part of the famous Fairfax family, known for their newspaper businesses in Australia.
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Who Was James Fairfax?
James Oswald Fairfax was born in Sydney, Australia. He was the oldest son of Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax. His mother was Marcie Elizabeth Wilson. His family was well-known for owning many newspapers.
Early Life and Education
James went to several schools, including Cranbrook School, Sydney and Geelong Grammar School. Later, he studied at Balliol College, Oxford in England. This education helped prepare him for his future career.
A Career in Newspapers
In 1957, James became a director at John Fairfax & Sons Ltd. This was his family's newspaper company. He took over from his father in 1977, becoming a leader in the business. He left the company in 1987. James Fairfax wrote a book about his life in 1991. He passed away on January 11, 2017, when he was 83 years old. He never married.
Helping Others Through Philanthropy
James Fairfax was a big fan of art and collected many beautiful pieces. He especially loved Australian art and European "old masters" (famous paintings from the past). He gave a lot of support to important art places. These included the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Australia. He helped these galleries share art with everyone.
In 2015, James Fairfax was a very wealthy person. He had a lot of property, investments, and a large collection of art. He used his wealth to help many different groups.
Important Awards and Gifts
James Fairfax received special awards for his generosity. In 1993, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his service to the arts and the community. In 2010, he received an even higher award. He became a Companion of the Order of Australia. This was for his outstanding support of visual arts and conservation. He also helped fund medical research and educational buildings.
One of his big gifts was in 2016. He gave his beautiful property, Retford Park in Bowral, to the National Trust of Australia. This means the property will be protected for everyone to enjoy.
