Thomas Fairfax, 1st Viscount Fairfax

Who is Thomas Fairfax, 1st Viscount Fairfax?

Thomas Fairfax, 1st Viscount Fairfax of Emley was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1601 and 1626. He was created Viscount Fairfax in the Peerage of Ireland in 1629.

Fairfax was the son of Sir William Fairfax of Gilling Castle and Walton. He was at school at Gilling and entered Caius College, Cambridge in 1590. He succeeded his father to the estates of Gilling and Walton in 1597. He was a sheep farmer and an encloser. In 1600 he was commissioner for musters for the West Riding of Yorkshire. In 1601, he was elected Member of Parliament for Boroughbridge. He was a J.P. for the North Riding of Yorkshire by 1603. He was knighted in April 1603. From July 1603 he was a member of the council in the north, and was vice-president of the council in the north in 1608 and 1616. In 1621 he was elected MP for Hedon. He was re-elected MP for Hedon in 1624. 1625 and 1626. From 1627 to 1628 he was High Sheriff of Yorkshire. He was created Viscount Fairfax on 10 January 1629.

Fairfax died at Howsham at the age of about 61 and was buried at Scrayingham.