About William Maxwell
Lived 1867 – 1921 (aged 53–54). William Maxwell was a New Zealand politician and gold miner.
William Maxwell (1867 – 23 April 1921) was a gold miner and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
Early days Maxwell was born at Wairoa, New Zealand, to Peter Maxwell and his wife Isabella (née Campbell). He began his working career as a gold miner in Thames before moving to Queensland in 1886 to carry on his trade.
Political career Maxwell, representing the Labour Party, was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly as the member for Burke at the Queensland colonial election of 1899. In 1907 Maxwell left Labour to join William Kidston's "Kidstonites" party but he lost his seat at the state election of 1909.
Personal life On the 30 May 1892, Maxwell married Alice Bending in Croydon. Alice died the next year, and is buried in Georgetown cemetery. On the 26 September 1895 he married Mary Elizabeth Steele in Georgetown and together had 3 sons and 3 daughters. All of his children have memorial plaques in the family plot in Nundah Cemetery, albeit for John Maxwell who married Nellie Purdie from Capella. They have a plaque together at Mt Gravatt Cemetery. John Maxwell was the only one of his 6 children that married and had children. 1 daughter Elaine Steine, 2 sons John Maxwell and Raymond Maxwell. They lived on Oriel Rd Clayfield, near the Maxwell family home in Ascot, which all 5 of the other Maxwell siblings resided in together till their deaths.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in William Maxwell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Maxwell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Maxwell?
Australian politician
When was William Maxwell born?
William Maxwell was born in 1867 in Wairoa.
When did William Maxwell die?
William Maxwell died on 23 April 1921 in Brisbane.
What was William Maxwell's occupation?
William Maxwell was a politician and gold miner.
What nationality was William Maxwell?
William Maxwell was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: William Maxwell (Australian politician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Maxwell. https://biography.guide/william-maxwell/
MLA: "William Maxwell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-maxwell/.
Chicago: "William Maxwell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-maxwell/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:15 UTC