Thomas Playfair

John Thomas Playfair (1832 – 15 November 1893) was an English-born Australian butcher, ship's providore, politician and benefactor.

Early life John Thomas Playfair, known as Thomas Playfair, the eldest son of tailor Thomas Playfair and Mary Anne, née Arnold, was baptised on 12 February 1832 in Essex, England. He went to sea at the age of twelve, becoming a captain's steward in the Royal Navy. In 1859, he settled in Sydney, entering into a partnership with wholesale butcher E. J. Baily, also operating a separate business as a shipping butcher at 103 George Street, The Rocks. On 7 November 1860, he married Ellen Matheson, with whom he had three sons. After her death in 1866, he married her sister, Georgina Hope, on 26 February 1867; they had a daughter and two sons.

Career Following the death of E. J. Baily, Playfair continued the business partnership with his widow. The ship's providore venture grew into a prosperous enterprise. In 1889, he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as a Free Trade member for West Sydney, serving only one term before his defeat in 1891.

Personal life Playfair was a generous benefactor to several charities, including the Sydney Ragged School, the Sisters of St Joseph's Providence and the Boys' Brigade. He was interred in the Church of England section of Waverley Cemetery. His estate, which included approximately thirty properties in the city, Eastern Suburbs, North Sydney and Manly, was divided between his four surviving children, Thomas Arnold, Edmund John Baily, Jessie and Alfred Donald. The butchering business was bequeathed to Edmund.

Legacy / Memorials Playfair Street and Playfair Stairs, both located in The Rocks, are named after Thomas Playfair.

A plaque was placed on the doors of Holy Trinity Church in Millers Point in 1960 in his memory.