FAIRFAX, Thomas, LORD, English gen eral : b. Denton, Yorkshire, 17 Jan. 1612; d. Nun Appleton, Yorkshire, 12 Nov. 1671. Fairfax warmly espoused the cause of Parliament, and in April 1642 presented to Charles a petition of the people imploring him to be reconciled to his subjects. The same year he was appointed gen eral of the horse, and in 1644, together with Essex, Waller and Manchester, he held a chief command in the English army sent to co-operate with the Scoti. The credit of the battle of Mar ston Moor has, by some authorities, been di vided between Leslie and Cromwell, but, accord ing to others, Fairfax is also entitled to share in it. On the Earl of Essex resigning the corn mand of the parliamentary army in 1645, Fair fax was made conunander-in-chief in his room. He insisted on the command of the horse being given to Cromwell. When he took Oxford the first thing he did was to set a guard upon the Bodleian Library, an act for which he deserves the gratitude of posterity. He subsequently,
in November 1647, was engaged with Cromwell in putting down the levelers in the army, and in the following year captured Colchester, and caused Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle to be tried by court-martial and shot. He was one of the Icing's judges in 1649, and endeavored to prevent his execution. Being ordered to march against the Scottish Presbyterians, he positively declined the command and Cromwell was appointed (26 June 1650) to succeed him. He was appointed one of the lay church com missioners in 1654, and was a member of Cromwell's first Parliament. He assisted Monk against General Latnbert, and co-operated in the restoration of Charles II, being one of the committee diarged to secure his return.