Edward Fairfax (c. 1580 – 27 January 1635) was an English translator. He translated

Torquato Tasso Torquato Tasso ( , also , ; 11 March 154425 April 1595) was an Italian poet of the 16th century, known for his 1591 poem ''Gerusalemme liberata'' (Jerusalem Delivered), in which he depicts a highly imaginative version of the combats between ...

's '' Jerusalem Delivered''. He also wrote an original work on

demonology Demonology is the study of demons within religious belief and myth. Depending on context, it can refer to studies within theology, religious doctrine, or occultism. In many faiths, it concerns the study of a hierarchy of demons. Demons may be n ...

Life

He was the

natural Nature is an inherent character or constitution, particularly of the ecosphere or the universe as a whole. In this general sense nature refers to the laws, elements and phenomena of the physical world, including life. Although humans are part ...

son of Sir Thomas Fairfax the elder, of Denton in Yorkshire, and a half-brother of

Thomas Fairfax Sir Thomas Fairfax (17 January 1612 – 12 November 1671) was an English army officer and politician who commanded the New Model Army from 1645 to 1650 during the English Civil War. Because of his dark hair, he was known as "Black Tom" to his l ...

, 1st Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1560–1640). Fairfax lived at New Hall, Fewston,The History and Topology of Harrogate and Knaresbourough Forest by William Grainge near

Harrogate Harrogate ( ) is a spa town and civil parish in the North Yorkshire District, district and North Yorkshire, county of North Yorkshire, England. Historic counties of England, Historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is a tourist de ...

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ) is an area of Northern England which was History of Yorkshire, historically a county. Despite no longer being used for administration, Yorkshire retains a strong regional identity. The county was named after its county town, the ...

, England. He is best known for his translation of

's '' Jerusalem Delivered'', considered a masterpiece. It is one of the comparatively few translations which in themselves are literature and was highly praised by

John Dryden John Dryden (; – ) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration (En ...

. The first edition appeared in 1600, and was dedicated to Queen

Elizabeth I of England Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudor. Her eventful reign, and its effect on history ...

. Fairfax also wrote a treatise on

, in which he was a devout believer. Edward's daughters Elizabeth and Anne were baptised in the village church of Fewston in 1606 and 1621 respectively.

Notes

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* * 1580s births 1635 deaths

Edward Edward is an English male name. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name ''Ēadweard'', composed of the elements '' ēad'' "wealth, fortunate; prosperous" and '' weard'' "guardian, protector”. History The name Edward was very popular in Anglo-S ...

Italian–English translators People from Denton, North Yorkshire 17th-century English male writers 17th-century English writers 16th-century English translators 17th-century English translators Writers from North Yorkshire Demonologists {{England-nonfiction-writer-stub