W B Maxwell

William Babington Maxwell was a British novelist and playwright. Born on June 4, 1866, William Babington Maxwell was the son of novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon and Irish businessman John Maxwell. The family lived at Lichfield House in Richmond and spent their holidays in the New Forest. Maxwell's official schooling stopped at the age of 14 because his mother was concerned about 'over-education'. Maxwell was originally trained as an artist before abandoning it in favor of writing short stories...See more

William Babington Maxwell was a British novelist and playwright. Born on June 4, 1866, William Babington Maxwell was the son of novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon and Irish businessman John Maxwell. The family lived at Lichfield House in Richmond and spent their holidays in the New Forest. Maxwell's official schooling stopped at the age of 14 because his mother was concerned about 'over-education'. Maxwell was originally trained as an artist before abandoning it in favor of writing short stories to help him cope with despair. Edmund Yates wrote his first article in The World for five pounds. He also contributed pieces to Truth and Temple Bar. Despite being nearly 50 years old at the onset of the First World War, Maxwell was accepted as a lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers and served in France until 1917. His military career began at a recruitment station in a building beneath Govett and Sons on Throgmorton Street, London. He was entrusted with recruiting 1000 men, but only succeeded in recruiting 1300. From that point forward, the unit he helped organize was transported to Colchester for training. Maxwell was tasked with managing the battalion funds, which included officers, rations, and weights. In his 1916 notebook, he kept a track of meals and weights for soldiers and animals. Maxwell was promoted to Lieutenant on September 3, 1914. See less