Warwick Oswald Fairfax
Encyclopedia
Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax (19 December 1901 – 14 January 1987) was an Australia
n businessman prominent in the arts.
He 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
, St. Paul's College, Sydney
and Sydney University.
He married Marcie Wilson in 1928; they divorced in 1945.
He married Hanne Anderson in 1948; they divorced 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).
He was the father of three sons James Oswald
, Warwick Geoffrey Oswald
and Charles and three daughters Annalise, Caroline and Anna.
Anna and Charles were born to Sir Warwick Fairfax and Lady Mary 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
.
He was chairman of Associated Newspapers Ltd. 1956–77
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n businessman prominent in the arts.
He was the son of James Oswald Fairfax (1863–1928) and grandson of John Fairfax
John Fairfax
John Fairfax , English-born journalist, is notable for the incorporation of the major newspapers of modern day Australia.-Early life:...
.
He earned an M.A. at Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
after studying at Geelong Grammar
Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, co-educational, boarding and day school. The school's main campus is located at Corio, on the northern outskirts of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, overlooking Corio Bay and Limeburners Bay....
, St. Paul's College, Sydney
St. Paul's College, Sydney
St Paul's College in Sydney, Australia, is an Anglican residential college for men which is affiliated with the University of Sydney. Founded in 1856 by an 1854 act of the New South Wales Legislative Council, it is Australia's oldest university college...
and Sydney University.
He married Marcie Wilson in 1928; they divorced in 1945.
He married Hanne Anderson in 1948; they divorced 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).
He was the father of three sons James Oswald
James Fairfax
James Oswald Fairfax, AC , Australian company director and arts patron, was born in Sydney, eldest son of Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax....
, Warwick Geoffrey Oswald
Warwick Fairfax
Warwick Fairfax is an Australian businessman who had tried unsuccessfully to privatise his family's media company Fairfax Media in 1987. He successfully took over the company but on 10 December 1990 the company collapsed and a receiver was appointed...
and Charles and three daughters Annalise, Caroline and Anna.
Anna and Charles were born to Sir Warwick Fairfax and Lady Mary Fairfax. They grew up in Fairwater, the Fairfax family's harbourside home in Double Bay
Double Bay, New South Wales
Double Bay is a harbourside eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Double Bay is located 4 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of the Municipality of Woollahra.Double Bay takes its name...
, where Lady Fairfax hosted some memorable parties, including a ball for 1000 people in 1973 to celebrate the opening of the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
, when guests included Rex Harrison
Rex Harrison
Sir Reginald Carey “Rex” Harrison was an English actor of stage and screen. Harrison won an Academy Award and two Tony Awards.-Youth and stage career:...
, Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev was a Russian dancer, considered one of the most celebrated ballet dancers of the 20th century. Nureyev's artistic skills explored expressive areas of the dance, providing a new role to the male ballet dancer who once served only as support to the women.In 1961 he...
, Liberace
Liberace
Wladziu Valentino Liberace , best known simply as Liberace, was a famous American pianist and vocalist.In a career that spanned four decades of concerts, recordings, motion pictures, television and endorsements, Liberace became world-renowned...
and Imelda Marcos
Imelda Marcos
Imelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
.
Business
He joined John Fairfax and Sons 1925; became a Director 1927 and Managing Director 1930He was chairman of Associated Newspapers Ltd. 1956–77
The Arts
- In 1934 he acquired the Ure SmithSydney Ure SmithSydney George Ure Smith was an Australian arts publisher and promoter who 'did more than any other Australian to publicize Australian art at home and overseas'....
publications Home and Art in Australia, and furthered their support of contemporary Australian artists. He defended the controversial awarding of the 1943 Archibald PrizeArchibald PrizeThe Archibald Prize is regarded as the most important portraiture prize in Australia. It was first awarded in 1921 after a bequest from J. F. Archibald, the editor of The Bulletin who died in 1919...
to DobellWilliam DobellSir William Dobell, OBE was an Australian artist .The electoral Division of Dobell is named after him.- Life :...
and purchased works by leading Australian painters. - He financially backed the KirsovaHélène KirsovaHélène Kirsova was a Danish ballerina, choreographer, and director who started the first professional ballet company in Australia. Kirsova was born in Copenhagen as Ellen Elisabeth Kiersten Wittrup. In Denmark, she received ballet training from Emilie Walborn and Jenny Møller. She continued her...
ballet company. - He was a board member of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre TrustAustralian Elizabethan Theatre TrustThe Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust was set up in September 1954 under the guidance of H. C. ‘Nugget’ Coombs, Governor of the Commonwealth Bank, Sir Charles Moses General Manager, Australian Broadcasting Commission and John Douglas Pringle, Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald. It aimed to...
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 UniversityAustralian National UniversityThe Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
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)
- Vintage for Heroes (1952 play)
- The Bishop's Wife (1956 play)
- The Triple Abyss - Towards a Modern Synthesis (1965)
Sources
- Barnier, Cheryl (ed.) Notable Australians - a Pictorial Who's Who Paul Hamlyn Pty Ltd 1978