Charles S. Fairfax

Charles S. Fairfax

Charles Snowdon Fairfax, 10th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (March 8, 1829 – April 4, 1869) was an American Democratic politician of California. He was of Scottish noble descent and was himself entitled to the title as the 10th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. Fairfax was lured west as part of the gold rush. The town of Fairfax, California, is named for him.

He was born on Vaucluse Plantation in Virginia, the eldest son of Albert Fairfax (April 15, 1802 – May 9, 1835) and Caroline Eliza Snowden (April 21, 1812 – December 28, 1899), who were married on April 7, 1828. His brother was John Contee Fairfax (September 13, 1830 – September 28, 1900), who was a physician. On May 1, 1838, his mother married William R. Saunders.