Warwick Oswald Fairfax
Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax (19 December 1901 – 14 January 1987)[1] was an Australian businessman prominent in the arts.
Early life
Fairfax was the son of James Oswald Fairfax (1863–1928) and grandson of John Fairfax. He earned an M.A. at Balliol College, Oxford after studying at Geelong Grammar and the University of Sydney (where he was resident at (St. Paul's College).
Marriages
In 1928, Fairfax married Marcie Elizabeth (Betty) Wilson, the daughter of David Wilson KC and the niece of William Hardy Wilson. They had two children, James Oswald Fairfax and Caroline, before their divorce in 1945. Fairfax married Hanne Anderson in 1948 and they had one daughter, Annalise, before divorcing in 1959. He married Mary Wein just after midnight on 4 July 1959. She had also been known as Marie Wein and Mary Symonds (from her earlier marriage to Cedric Symonds).[2] Warwick Geoffrey Oswald Fairfax, Anna and Charles were his children with his third wife, Mary, Lady Fairfax. They grew up in Fairwater, the Fairfax family's harbourside home in Double Bay, where Lady Fairfax hosted some memorable parties, including a ball for 1000 people in 1973 to celebrate the opening of the Sydney Opera House, when guests included Rex Harrison, Rudolf Nureyev, Liberace and Imelda Marcos.[2]
Business
He joined John Fairfax and Sons 1925; became a Director 1927 and managing director 1930 He was chairman of Associated Newspapers Ltd. 1956–77
The Arts
- In 1934 he acquired the Ure Smith publications Home and Art in Australia, and furthered their support of contemporary Australian artists. He defended the controversial awarding of the 1943 Archibald Prize to Dobell and purchased works by leading Australian painters.
- He financially backed the Kirsova ballet company.
- He was a board member of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust from 1954 and Vice President from 1969. He served as Governor from 1975 to 1985.
- He was the author of three plays which have been produced in Australia.
Academia
- He was on the governing council of the Australian National University from 1963 to 1974
Publications
- A Century of Australian Journalism, The Sydney Morning Herald and its Record of Australian Life (ed.)(1931)
- Men, Parties and Politics (1943)
- A Victorian Marriage (1951 play produced by John Alden)[3]
- Vintage for Heroes (1952 play)
- The Bishop's Wife (1956 play)
- The Triple Abyss – Towards a Modern Synthesis (1965)
Recognition
- He was knighted in 1967.
References
- ↑ http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A170370b.htm
- 1 2 The lady who's still giving her all Lawson, Valerie Sydney Morning Herald 15 August 2002 accessed 16 May 2011
- ↑ Sydney Morning Herald 30 June 1951
Sources
- Barnier, Cheryl (ed.) Notable Australians – a Pictorial Who's Who Paul Hamlyn Pty Ltd 1978
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