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

History

Maxwell was the son of builder Francis Maxwell and his wife Jane Young Maxwell in Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he received an education. After fifteen years living 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. 1 2 "Concerning People". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. XLVIII, no. 17, 687. South Australia. 22 July 1903. p. 4. Retrieved 21 October 2020 via National Library of Australia.
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