Fairfax lived at New Hall, Fewston,[3] near Harrogate, Yorkshire, England.
He is best known for his translation of Torquato Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered, considered a masterpiece.
[4] It is one of the comparatively few translations which in themselves are literature and was highly praised by John Dryden.
Fairfax also wrote a treatise on demonology,[5] in which he was a devout believer.
[6] Edward's daughters Elizabeth and Anne were baptised in the village church of Fewston in 1606 and 1621 respectively.