Career
He represented Victoria South in the Canadian House of Commons from 1890 to 1896 as a Liberal-Conservative member. He was born near Lakefield, Ontario, the son of a Scottish immigrant, and was educated in Peterborough. Fairbairn served on the town council for Bobcaygeon and was reeve for Verulam Township.
He also served as warden for Victoria County in 1879.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the Ontario legislative assembly in 1883 and 1890. A rural post office in Verulam Township was named Fairbairn in his honour.