Skip to main content

Fairbanks, John B. (John Boylston), 1855-1940

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1855 - 1940

Biography

John B Fairbanks (1855-1940) was an American landscape artist and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Born December 27, 1855 to John Bolyston and Sarah (Van Wagoner) Fairbanks in Payson, Utah, John Fairbanks was given the initial of B at the age of 20 in honor of his father who passed away at that time.

John married Lillie Annetta Huish on June 24, 1877. John was married to Lillie Annetta Huish in the home of their bishop in Payson, Utah. In the next two years, John and Lillie had two children. Lillie passed away in 1898.

In 1890, John B Fairbanks, John Hafen, and Lorus Pratt were approved to be called as missionaries assigned to France to study art so that they could use their skills to adorn church buildings upon their return.

In 1917, John met Florence Gifford when he traveled to Zion National Park to make sketches. They were married in Salt Lake City on September 21, 1917. John continued to paint until his death on June 15, 1940 at the age of 84. He left behind his wife Florence and a total of 13 children.

Citation:
BYU, via WWW, October 20, 2021 (John B. Fairbanks; Born December 27, 1855; Parents were John Bolyston and Sarah (Van Wagoner) Fairbanks; born in Payson, Utah; married Lillie Annetta Huish on June 24, 1877; John was married to Lillie Annetta Huish in the home of their bishop in Payson, Utah; had two children; In 1890, called as missionaries assigned to France to study art so that they could use their skills to adorn church buildings upon their return; met Florence Gifford in 1917 when he traveled to Zion National Park to make sketches; married in Salt Lake City on September 21, 1917; continued to paint until his death June 15, 1940; died at 84; left behind his wife Florence and a total of 13 children)

Cope and Fairbanks family papers, 1830-2017 (John Fairbanks was given the initial of B at the age of 20 in honor of his father who passed away at that time.)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

John B. Fairbanks papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 841
Scope and Contents This collection consists of memorabilia, letters, essays, and biographies of Fairbanks. Three of the letters are from Joseph F. Smith, an apostle and later president, of the Mormon Church. The essays include "The History of Art" and "A Short Sketch of the Life of the Artist John Hafen" by Fairbanks.Two biographies of Fairbanks are in the collection. One is handwritten, 80 pages in length, and is entitled "Interesting Incidents from the Life of J. B. Fairbanks by his Wife...
Dates: 1891-1937