Collection GB 0064 FFX - Fairfax, Rear Admiral Robert (1666-1725)

0.25 cubic metres; Two boxes; 228 items

GB 0064 FFX [1666-1725] Collection 0.25 cubic metres; Two boxes; 228 items Fairfax , Robert , 1666-1725 , Rear Admiral

Robert Fairfax joined the navy in 1687 and participated in the battles of Bantry Bay (1689) and Beachy Head (1690). He captained the BERWICK, one of the 20 ships with which Rear Admiral Byng seized Gibraltar. He played a prominent role in the battle of Malaga (1704), and the reduction of Barcelona (1706). He became Rear Admiral of the Blue following the disasterous death of Sir Cloudsley Shovell (1707), but the promotion was instead given to Lord Dursley, by dint of the former's connections. Fairfax was left without employment, and after unsuccessfully petitioning the Crown to be reinstated, retired altogether from naval life. In 1713 Fairfax was elected to the seat of York but his rival candidate, Mr Tobias Jenkyns, disputed the result and a recount took place. Fairfax was returned, though he lost the seat the following year, when elected Alderman of the city of York. In 1715 he was elected Lord Mayor. Fairfax also purchased his estate of Bilbrough from his extended family. He died in 1725 leaving his wife, a son, and a daughter. His wife out lived him by another 10 years.

Acquired from Sotheby's auction, 13th July 1981.

Papers of Adml Robert Fairfax, amounting to 2 boxes of material. They include a substantial quantity of naval correspondence, together with business, personal and political letters. The naval correspondence features commissions, letters and orders, including correspondence from Lord High Admiral, Prince George of Denmark, admirals Sir Cloudsley Shovell, Sir Thomas Dilkes, Sir John Leake and Sir George Rooke. The personal papers include letters to his mother, his wife and his uncle in Dublin. (228 items)

Some papers where noted, are not fit for production, awaiting conservation treatment.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

English

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Edited by Sarah Drewery, Jun 2011.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

2011-04-19 Rooke , Sir , George , 1650-1709 , Knight , Admiral Shovell , Sir , Clowdisley , 1650-1707 , Knight , Admiral of the Fleet Dilkes , Sir , Thomas , c 1667-1707 , naval officer Fairfax , Robert , 1666-1725 , Rear Admiral Social sciences George of Denmark and Norway , 1653-1708 , Prince , Duke of Cumberland , husband of Queen Anne Military science Military affairs Naval affairs Leake , Sir , John , 1656-1720 , Knight , Admiral

Acquired from Sotheby's auction, 13th July 1981.

Papers of Adml Robert Fairfax, amounting to 2 boxes of material. They include a substantial quantity of naval correspondence, together with business, personal and political letters. The naval correspondence features commissions, letters and orders, including correspondence from Lord High Admiral, Prince George of Denmark, admirals Sir Cloudsley Shovell, Sir Thomas Dilkes, Sir John Leake and Sir George Rooke. The personal papers include letters to his mother, his wife and his uncle in Dublin. (228 items)

Some papers where noted, are not fit for production, awaiting conservation treatment.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

• English

• Latin

English

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• English