Sir John Maxwell, CMG (1921) Kt (1930), was born on the 6 September 1875 at Maxwelltown, Kirkcudbright, Scotland and educated at Dumfries Academy. He served articles as a solicitor with Walker & Sharpe, Maxwelltown, Dumfries, studied law at Glasgow University (1896-1898) and qualified as a Solicitor in 1899.

On entering the Colonial Administrative Service, Maxwell was posted to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) where he served as: Assistant District Commissioner (1902); Travelling Commissioner (1905); Provincial Commissioner (1907); Commissioner for the Eastern Province (1909); Commissioner for the Western Province (1911); Colonial Secretary and Governor's Deputy (1916); Deputy Chief Commissioner (1921); Secretary for Native Affairs (1923); Acting Governor (twice); Acting Colonial Secretary; Attorney-General and Solicitor-General.

Sir Maxwell retired in 1930 and died on the 31 March 1946.

Diaries of Sir John Maxwell, relating to his career as a Colonial Administrator in the Gold Coast.

Deposited by Sir John Maxwell's daughter in April 1989.

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Maxwell | Sir | John | 1875-1946 | Colonial Administrator

Great Britain | Colonial Administrative Service

Colonial administrators | Ghana | Diaries

Ghana | Officials and employees