John Maxwell (publisher) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Maxwell
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Memorial to Maxwell in St Elizabeth of Portugal Church, Richmond, London
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| Born | 1824 Ulster, Ireland
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| Occupation | Businessman, publisher and property developer |
| Years active | 1850s–1895 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | W. B. Maxwell and others |
John Maxwell (1824–1895) was an Irish businessman and publisher. He was also a property developer in London. He became well-known for his weekly magazines. These magazines featured exciting stories and news. They were popular with many different readers. Maxwell also published monthly magazines for a more upscale audience.
John Maxwell's Life Story
John Maxwell was born in 1824 in Ulster, Ireland. He became an orphan from a family in Limerick. Around 1842, he moved to London. He tried to publish poems by Gerald Griffin.
In the 1850s, Maxwell started his own business in London. He sold newspapers and advertising space in them.
Starting His Magazines
In 1858, Maxwell began creating a series of newspapers. His first was Town Talk, which lasted for 18 months. Then came The Welcome Guest in 1859. He bought this paper and relaunched it as Robin Goodfellow.
By the end of 1860, he launched Temple Bar. This was a very successful monthly magazine. Maxwell later lost control of it. He faced financial problems in 1862. However, he was helped by the earnings of author Mary Elizabeth Braddon.
Maxwell continued his work as a publisher. He especially focused on reprinting popular fiction books.
Property Development
Maxwell also developed properties in Richmond. He and Mary Elizabeth Braddon lived there in a house called Lichfield House. He named two nearby streets after characters from Braddon's novels.
His Family Life
John Maxwell was married two times. His first wife was Mary Anne Crowley. They married in 1848. They had at least five children who survived. Sadly, she passed away in 1874.
After her death, he married Mary Elizabeth Braddon. She was a famous author. Their sons included Gerald Melbourne Maxwell, who became an actor. Another son was W. B. Maxwell, who became a well-known author. Edward Henry Harrington Maxwell became a lawyer.
