Fairfax (of Cameron), Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Baron 1612-71
English general

Born in Denton, Yorkshire, he was the son of Ferdinando, Lord Fairfax. From 1629 he served in the Netherlands, under Sir Horace, 1st Baron Vere, whose daughter Anne he married (1637). In the Civil War (from 1642) he was general of Parliamentary horse and after distinguished action at Marston Moor (1644) was appointed to succeed the 3rd Earl of Essex in the supreme command in 1645, and defeated Charles I at the decisive Battle of Naseby (1645). In 1650, on Fairfax's refusal to march against the Scots, who had proclaimed Charles II king, Cromwell was appointed Commander-in-Chief, and Fairfax withdrew into private life. After Cromwell's death he assisted George Monk, 1st Duke of Albermarle against John Lambert and was head of the commission dispatched to The Hague in 1660 to arrange for the return of Charles II.