William James Maxwell

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

Maxwell was born a son of builder Francis Maxwell (ca.1810 – 4 September 1889) and his wife Jane Young Maxwell (ca.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.

• 1883 panel and other work for Clayton Congregational Church, Kensington, South Australia.
• 1884 statue of St. Patrick, altars, font and other work for St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.
• 1894 statue of Robert Burns on North Terrace, Adelaide.
• "Industry" on the Savings Bank Building in Currie Street, Adelaide.
• Half-size model for a statue of John McDouall Stuart, which may have influenced James White in his work, unveiled in 1901.

He married Isabella Strachan (1844 – 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.