John Fairfax

By Stuart Johnson

A bankrupt English printer arrives in 1838 Sydney, finds courage, and builds a lasting media legacy.

In September 1838, a bankrupt 32-year-old printer from England approached Sydney on the sailing ship Lady Fitzherbert. On seeing the high cliffs outside Port Jackson his courage broke and he wept. What would become of him and his young family in this remote colony? Time answered unequivocally. From this unlikely beginning, he experienced remarkable success at the Sydney Morning Herald, becoming Australia's first press baron and founding a media dynasty, and made a far-reaching contribution to the social and economic development of New South Wales and Australia. His name was John Fairfax, and this is his story.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1923267736
• ISBN13: 9781923267732
• Release Date: November 2026
• Publisher: Australian Scholarly Publishing
• Length: 402 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"