James Fairfax

Portrait of a collector in eleven objects

Author: Alexander Edward Gilly

This evocative new biography of James Fairfax businessman, philanthropist, collector and champion of Australian art from his nephew, Alexander Gilly, pieces together Fairfax's life through the prism of his collection.

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James Fairfax was one of the nation's greatest philanthropists, collectors and champions of Australian art. Chairman of what was then known as John Fairfax Ltd, he put together one of the country's most important collections of European Old Masters, and was a generous benefactor to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.

In this evocative biography his nephew, Alexander Gilly, pieces together Fairfax's life through the prism of his art collection. Through a long-case clock built by Fairfax's grandfather and given to his parents as a wedding gift, a painting by Rubens, a sculpture by Robert Klippel, a mural created for his country home by Donald Friend and other treasured objects, Gilly reveals the complex private and public lives of a man at the centre of a media dynasty.

'James Fairfax lives on in his gifts to the nation. In this beautifully written, emotionally rich, erudite yet intimate book, Alexander Gilly ensures that his life is a gift that keeps on giving. With so many objects to choose from in James Fairfax's extraordinary collection, Alexander Gilly selected eleven as guides to a reserved and proper man's public and private life. He locates them brilliantly to explore privilege, conflict and loss. In the process, and with access to remarkable private letters, he tells a story of a family, an imploding newspaper empire and a changing nation. Succession has nothing on this.' Julianne Schultz

'A beautifully written biography, dramatic, sensitive and full of heart. Gilly illuminates not only the life of one of Australia's most interesting figures but an entire era. The pacing is terrific and the structure original you're captivated from the first page, deeply moved by the last.' Sebastian Smee

'Alexander Gilly adds rich human detail to a story I thought I knew well. In an astute, intimate portrait of his uncle, he animates the mismatched members of an Australian media dynasty. Behind his sandwich role in their succession struggle, James Fairfax was a son torn between divorced parents, a loner, a lover, a bon vivant and an art connoisseur the Hamlet or Prince Charles of his family. How fortunate that Gilly had revealing interviews with the man, an appreciative eye for his art collection, and access to his correspondence with his mother. Betty Fairfax comes to the fore as a wonderfully eccentric influence in her son's privileged but fractured life.' Susan Wyndham

'This splendid volume is a fascinating glimpse into the life and motivations of one of Australia's great philanthropists.' The Canberra Times

'Alexander Edward Gilly interviewed Fairfax before his death and has produced a discreet and affectionate portrait of his uncle.' Simon Caterson, SMH and The Age

About the Author

Alexander Edward Gilly is the late James Fairfax's nephew. He is a writer, translator and magazine editor who was born in New York City and has lived in Australia, Canada, France, California and the UK. One of his translations, Thierry Cruvellier's The Master of Confessions, was longlisted for the 2015 PEN Translation Prize. Devil's Harbor (Forge, 2015) was his first novel.