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.
