William Sutherland Maxwell

William Sutherland Maxwell, an architect of Montreal, whose high professional standing is indicated by the large number of fine structures which stand as monuments to his skill and ability, brought to bear at the outset of his professional career the broad knowledge gained from comprehensive and thorough training. Montreal numbers him among her native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 14th of November, 1874, his parents being E. J. and Johanna (MacBean) Maxwell. In the acquirement of his education William Sutherland Maxwell, after attending the Montreal high school, went to Boston, Massachusetts, for professional training and afterward entered the Ecole des Beaux Arts of Paris, France. His training was thus received from men eminent in the profession in America and in Europe, and in 1898 he was admitted to the Quebec Architects Association. Beginning the practice of his profession he formed a partnership with his brother, Edward Maxwell, and in his chosen life work he has made steady advancement, his unfolding powers and increasing ability gaining for him distinction and success. In 1909 he was elected a member of the Royal Canadian Academy and in 1908 was chosen a councillor of the Association of Architects of the province of Quebec. He is president of the Province of Quebec Association of Architects for 1914. While practicing his profession in association with his brother there stand as monuments to their skill and ability many fine structures not only in the east but also in the west. Among the works executed by them are the Hotel Alexandra at Winnipeg, for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, the Canadian Pacific Railway station at Winnipeg, the residence of C. R. Hosmer, the Alexandra Hospital for Infectious Diseases, the Nurses Home for the Royal Victorian Hospital, the monument to Lord Strathcona and South African soldiers of which George W. Hill was the sculptor, the monument to the Hon. John Young, of which Philip Hébert was the sculptor, the bank buildings for the Bank of Montreal, Molson’s Bank, the Royal Bank and the buildings of the Montreal General Hospital. They were also the architects of the Government House in Regina, Saskatchewan, the Calgary Hotel for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, at Calgary, and the Montreal Art Association’s new building in Montreal. No more definite indication of Mr. Maxwell’s high professional standing can be given than the list of these buildings which have become tangible factors in the improvement of various cities.

In May, 1902, occurred the marriage of Mr. Maxwell and Miss Mary Ellis Bolles, of New York, who is well known in connection with charitable and philanthropic work, being now a councillor of the Children’s Aid Society. He is a member of the St. James Club, the Arts Club, the Pen and Pencil Club and the Kanawaki Golf Club. The family residence is at No. 716 Pine Avenue, Montreal. Mr. Maxwell has concentrated his energies upon his profession, and he has every reason to be proud of the fact that he has been elected to membership in the Ecole des Beaux Arts Society of Paris. He was president of the Arts Club of Montreal for 1913 and is so serving for 1914.