Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 28th April 1930 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
3 items, paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Steve Fairbairn was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 25th August 1862. He followed his brothers to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he read law, graduating in 1884. He was called to the bar by the Inner Temple in 1886 but did not practice. In 1884 he returned to Australia, where he worked at the family's farming interests in Victoria and western Queensland.
On 18th November 1891 he married Ellen Sharwood. They had two sons.
In 1904 they returned to England and thereafter Fairbairn devoted himself to coaching various rowing clubs, both in London and in Cambridge.
Fairbairn rowed in the losing Cambridge crews of 1882 and 1883 and in the victorious crews of 1886 and 1887, and won many other races. However, his claim to fame rests on his methods of coaching and the success of the crews that he coached. He was always ready to try new ideas in coaching or equipment and he did much to make rowing popular. In 1925 he instituted the ‘head of the river’ race on the Putney to Mortlake course: a bronze bust of Fairbairn, by George Drinkwater, is held each year by the winning crew as the trophy. He coached many successful crews of the London Rowing Club, the Thames Rowing Club, and Jesus College.
He died at his home, the Mostyn Hotel, Portman Square, London, on 16th May 1938. His ashes are buried at Jesus College.
He is remembered in Cambridge by the Fairbairn cup races, which he inaugurated in the late 1920s as a handicap race between Jesus crews to serve as a form guide towards the end of Michaelmas term. The event later expanded to include other colleges and, in 1976, a women's event
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Letter from Steve Fairbairn to P.N. Carpmael. Address The Alexandra Hotel, Hyde Park Corner SW1. Dated Sunday (28th April 1930 added in pencil).
Contents include: Arrived night before last - health problems while travelling; hopes to come up on Thursday afternoon and stay until Saturday evening; request for P.N. Carpmael to get a room at the University Arms; will arrive at normal time and will be glad to see everyone again; congratulations on becoming Secretary of Cambridge University Boat Club; suggestion for Fours crews;
Contents include: Arrived night before last - bad time travelling (knocked out by old age and gastric trouble); hope will do good eventually but doubtful whether will come round; hoping for the best - hopes to come up on Thursday afternoon and stay until Saturday evening; request for P.N. Carpmael to get a room for Thursday and Friday nights at the University Arms - if not well enough will ask to cancel the room for the Thursday; will arrive at the normal time and will be glad to see everyone again; saw W.F. Reeve, would prefer to come up following Wednesday - think would be more useful to row crew that way and agrees; hope for winning Double Sculls and Magdalen Pairs; training instructions.
People mentioned include: P.N. Carpmael, R.F. Reeve, J.E. Baldwin, A.W. Anstey, R.F. Ohlsson, F.T. Coulton, M.A. Bellville.
Signed by Steve Fairbairn.