William James Maxwell

William James Maxwell (ca.1843 – 20 July 1903) was a sculptor born in Scotland who produced several important works in Australia.

History

Maxwell was born a son of builder Francis Maxwell (c. 1810 – 4 September 1889) and his wife Jane Young Maxwell (c. 1810 – 18 October 1889) in Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he received an education. After some fifteen years in Glasgow and London he emigrated to Australia, arriving in Melbourne in 1875,[1] and subsequently to Adelaide, South Australia. He returned to England, expecting to re-settle there but, finding the weather oppressive, returned to Adelaide around 1890.

Maxwell was a member of H. P. Gill's exclusive but short-lived Adelaide Art Circle 1891–1892. He must have had some talents as an entertainer, as most meetings ended with him giving some kind of rendition.

He had a home at Kent Town for some time, then built a magnificent residence, "Woodlands", Edwardstown, where he died.

Selected works

Robert Burns. The first statue carved in Adelaide.[2]

Family

He married Isabella Strachan (1844? 1845? – 28 February 1914); their children included:

  • Francis William Maxwell (1869–1947) married Edith Alice Humphris of Yongala, South Australia, on 21 April 1897. He was Assistant Engineer of Railways in Western Australia.
  • John Strachan Maxwell (draftsman in the South Australian Railways) married Amy Coveny of Sydney on 2 March 1908
  • William Maxwell (1882–1951) lived in Western Australia.
  • Margaret Innes "Ina" Maxwell (1870–1962) married Charles Henry Reeves on 28 September 1888, lived at Mount Barker.
  • Jane Young "Janie" Maxwell (1873–1963) married Christopher H. Ragless on 15 October 1897, lived on South Road.
  • Susan "Susie" Maxwell (4 February 1885 – 1967) married Leslie H. H. Shepley, lived in Kadina, South Australia
  • Helen Maxwell (6 February 1887 – 1964) married Leslie Hall Wright on 6 June 1914
  • Isabella Maxwell (6 February 1887 – 1978) twin sister

They had a home at College Road, Kent Town, then "Woodlands", in Edwardstown, South Australia. He had a sister, Mrs. George Finnister of Adelaide.

References

  1. "Obituary". Adelaide Observer. SA: National Library of Australia. 25 July 1903. p. 32. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  2. Famous Faces historical walking trail, City of Adelaide
  3. "New Clayton Church". South Australian Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 17 July 1883. p. 4. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  4. "A Statue of St. Patrick". The Evening News. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 17 March 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  5. "Concerning People". The Register (Adelaide). XLVIII (17, 687). South Australia. 22 July 1903. p. 4. Retrieved 21 October 2020 via National Library of Australia.
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