William Hamilton Maxwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Hamilton Maxwell
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| Born | 1792 |
| Died | 1850 |
| Genre | Novelist |
| Subject | Military history, military fiction |
William Hamilton Maxwell was an Irish novelist born on June 30, 1792, in Newry, County Down, Ireland. He passed away on December 29, 1850, in Musselburgh, Scotland. Maxwell became known for his exciting stories, especially those about military life.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Hamilton Maxwell went to college at Trinity College, Dublin. This was an important step in his education.
A Claim of Military Service
Maxwell often said he joined the British Army. He claimed to have fought in big wars like the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo. However, many people believe these claims were not true. He later became a priest, but he did not stay in that role for long.
Maxwell's Famous Books
William Hamilton Maxwell wrote several popular books. He is famous for starting a new style of military fiction. These stories were often lively and full of adventure.
Novels About Military Life
Two of his well-known novels are O'Hara, published in 1825, and Stories from Waterloo from 1834. These books helped create a trend for exciting military tales. This style of writing later became very popular with authors like Charles Lever.
Writing History Books
Besides novels, Maxwell also wrote historical accounts. He wrote a Life of the Duke of Wellington between 1839 and 1841. The Duke of Wellington was a famous military leader. Maxwell also wrote a History of the Irish Rebellion of 1798 in 1845. This book included pictures by George Cruikshank.
Personal Life
William Hamilton Maxwell married Mary Dobbin. She was the daughter of Thomas Dobbin.
