Sir Herbert Maxwell, 7th Baronet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Herbert Maxwell
|
|
|---|---|
Maxwell on 1 April 1901
|
|
| Member of Parliament for Wigtownshire | |
| In office 1880–1906 |
|
| Preceded by | Robert Vans-Agnew |
| Succeeded by | Lord Elcho |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 January 1845 |
| Died | 30 October 1937 (aged 92) |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
Sir Herbert Eustace Maxwell, 7th Baronet (born January 8, 1845 – died October 30, 1937) was an important Scottish person. He was a writer, an artist, and someone who studied old things (an antiquarian). He also loved gardening and fishing for salmon. Besides all that, he was a politician for the Conservative Party and served in the House of Commons from 1880 to 1906.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Herbert Maxwell came from a very old Scottish family called Clan Maxwell. His father was Sir William Maxwell, the 6th Baronet. A "Baronet" is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family.
Herbert went to famous schools: Eton and then Christ Church, Oxford University. After his studies, he became a captain in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, which was a military regiment. He also served as a J.P. (someone who helps keep law and order) and a Deputy Lieutenant for Wigtownshire, an area in Scotland.
Political Career and Public Service
In 1880, Herbert Maxwell was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Wigtownshire. An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the UK Parliament. He held this job for many years, until 1906.
He worked in the government under Lord Salisbury from 1886 to 1892. During this time, he was a "Junior Lord of the Treasury," which meant he helped manage government money. In 1897, he became a member of the Privy Council, a group of important advisors to the King or Queen. He also led a special group called the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis, which studied a serious disease.
From 1903 to 1935, he was the Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown, a representative of the King in his home area. In 1933, he received a very high honor, becoming a Knight of the Thistle. He also received an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow in 1901.
Interests in History and Nature
Sir Herbert Maxwell was very interested in history and old things. He was the President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland for many years (1900–1913). This society studies Scotland's past. He also led the National Library of Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), which works to protect historical sites.
He gave special lectures called the Rhind Lectures twice. In 1893, he talked about the names of places in Scotland. In 1912, he spoke about old Scottish historical records. He even wrote a report about a collection of ancient treasures called the Talnotrie Hoard.
His love for nature was also recognized. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1898, which is a big honor for scientists. In 1917, he received the Victoria Medal of Honour for his work in horticulture (gardening and plants).
Family Life
Herbert Maxwell married Mary Fletcher-Campbell in 1869. They had five children together: two sons and three daughters.
- William Maxwell (1869–1897)
- Ann Christian Maxwell (1871–1937), who married Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, 10th Baronet
- Winfred Edith (1873–1968)
- Beatrice Mary (1875–1938)
- Aymer Edward Maxwell (1877–1914), who served in the military and had four children. One of his sons, Gavin Maxwell (1914–1969), became a famous naturalist and author, known for his book Ring of Bright Water.
Sir Herbert Maxwell passed away at his home, Monreith House, in Wigtownshire, when he was 92 years old.
Written Works
Sir Herbert Maxwell was a very busy writer. He wrote many books, both novels (stories) and non-fiction (fact-based books).
Novels
- Sir Lucian Elphin (1889)
- A Duke of Britain (1895)
Non-Fiction
He wrote many books about Scottish history, nature, and his other interests:
- Scottish Land Names (1894)
- Memories of the Months (a series of seven books about nature and seasons, 1897–1922)
- Salmon and Sea Trout (1898)
- Robert the Bruce and the Struggle for Scottish Independence (1901)
- History of the House of Douglas (1902), about a famous Scottish family
- British Fresh-Water Fish (1904)
- Story of the Tweed (1905), about the River Tweed in Scotland
- Scottish Gardens (1908)
- The Making of Scotland (1911)
- The Place Names of Galloway: Their Origin & Meaning Considered (1930)
He also wrote biographies (life stories) of important people like Wellington.
