Author: Maxwell, James
Biography:
MAXWELL, James (1720-1800: ODNB)
PP describes him as “the most prolific and inveterate rhymester that Paisley…ever possessed,” but little is known for certain about his early life. He was born on 9 May 1720 at Auchenback, Mearns, Renfrewshire, to William Maxwell and his wife whose name is not known. He was baptised on 15 May. Details of his education are not known but Maxwell spent some years living in England where he worked at a variety of occupations, including weaver, packman, and teacher. He married while there and, according to his Brief Narrative, had four sons but no records have been located. When he returned to Scotland, he ran a school at South Knapdale, Argyllshire, but he returned to Paisley in 1782 and, in 1787, was awarded an annual charity stipend. He died at Paisley. He is remembered now not for his poetry but for his attack on Robert Burns, included in Animadiversions on Some Poets and Poetasters of the Present Age (1788); the book also takes exception to John Lapraik (q.v.). (PP; ODNB 18 Apr 2020; ancestry.co.uk 8 Dec. 2025) SR
Other Names:
- Mr. Maxwell