Steve Fairbairn

Stephen Fairbairn (25 August 1862 – 16 May 1938) was a rower and an influential rowing coach at Jesus College Boat Club, Cambridge University, Thames Rowing Club and London Rowing Club in the early decades of the 20th century, and founded the prestigious Head of the River Race in 1925. Early life Fairbairn was born in Toorak, Melbourne, Australia the son of George Fairbairn (1815–1895), an early Victorian pioneer and a wealthy grazier. Fairbairn was educated at Wesley College, Melbourne, and Geelong Grammar School, where he took up rowing and was regarded a good Australian rules footballer and cricketer. He topped his leaving year in mathematics and was a senior school prefect. Five of Fairbairn's brothers, including future Australian MP George, had attended Jesus College, Cambridge and Steve followed them, to read Law from 1882. Rowing career Fairbairn rowed for Jesus College Boat Club, like his brothers and six of his cousins had done. In Jesus College crews, he rowed to success in the Cambridge University bumps races and Henley Royal Regatta, where they won the 1885 Grand Challenge Cup. He also won the hammer throwing and putting the weight at the Freshmen's sports for Jesus College. He rowed for Cambridge in the Boat Race, in 1882 and 1883 and later whilst conducting post-graduate studies in 1886 and 1887.