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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Alexander Maxwell in "Then and Now 1799-1974"

I recently found some information on the career of  Alexander Maxwell, husband to Mary Elliot and brother-in-law to Robert Elliot, in a book put out by the law publishing firm he helped establish.  The following is from Then and Now, 1799-1974:  Commemorating 175 Years of Law Bookselling and Publishing, London, Sweet & Maxwell, 1974.  The chapter containing the history of the company is written by M.W. Maxwell, a descendant of Alexander Maxwell, and he has drawn upon his father's recollections of family history as one of his sources. 

" Alexander Maxwell, who was born in 1776, was not at first a law bookseller.  He started around 1800 at the corner of Fetter Lane, and moved first to Charing Cross and then to Snow Hill where he was in partnership with Walter Wilson as book auctioneers and booksellers.  It was not until 1811 that he moved to 21 Bell Yard, and it was probably the proximity to the Inns of Court that led him into the publishing of law books.  He had been particularly interested in religious matters and both wrote and published books on religion...It is not known when he first published a law book, but by 1820 or so he must have been predominantly interested in law books because he was one of the founders of the Associated Law Booksellers....He issued with other booksellers what is described as a "Catalogue of Law Books Ancient and Modern' and on the title page this is describbed as 'Printed for A. Maxwell, Law Bookseller and Publisher, 21 Bell Yard.'  In fact this was clearly a co-operative effort because other copies of the same catalogue bear the names of Sweet and of Stevens & Sons on the title page.

Alexander Maxwell moved to number 32 Bell Yard around 1830 and in 1831 was granted a Royal Warrant as law bookseller to His Majesty.  His son William joined him about this time." (p. 121-122)

This seems consistent with what Maxwell's obituary tells us, particularly about his interest in religion.  It's interesting that he published books that he himself had written on this topic. Note the fluidity of the bookseller/publisher labels--it seems not uncommon for booksellers to also publish during this time. 

Unfortunately, Then and Now doesn't include a portrait of Alexander or his son William.  It does show a photograph the Royal Warrant given to Alexander when he was appointed Law Bookseller to King William IV.  The Warrant reads:

"These are to Certify to whom it may Concern that by Virtue of a Warrant to me directed from The Duke of Devonshire Lord Chamberlain of His Majesty's Household I have Sworn and Admitted Mr. Alexander Maxwell into the Place and Quality of Law Bookseller in Ordinary to His Majesty to have hold exercise and enjoy the said Place together will all Rights Profits Privileges and Advantages thereunto belonging.
Given under my Hand and Seal this 6th day of July 1831 In the First Year of His Majesty's Reign."

After Alexander's son William had worked with his father for some time, he became a partner in the firm.

"On January 1, 1845, Alexander Maxwell took into partnership his son William.  The indenture conveys one-half share of the partnership in consideration of 'natural love and affection'.  The value of the partnership assets is stated as 16,000 pounds, and the partnership accounts at December 31, 1845, show the value of a half-share as 8,362 pounds.  The profit and loss account shows a surplus for the year of 1,716 pounds.  In 1848 Alexander retired and sold his share to William for 7,000 pounds, payable by instalments of 500 pounds a year.  He died in 1849." (p. 124)

Back in 1822 Alexander Maxwell joined with five other London-based law booksellers and publishers to form the Associated Law Booksellers.  This was a professional association whose members planned to co-operate with certain publishing ventures and otherwise "promote each other's success in trade by mutual advice and friendly co-operation."  One of the other members was Stephen Sweet, whose firm was to merge with Maxwell's in 1889, many years later.  The merger seems to have been necessitated  by the fecundity of the later Maxwell family.

"William Maxwell was joined in business by his son William Alexander around 1865, and they continued the business at No. 32 Bell Yard until the house was pulled down for the Law Courts when they moved to 29 Fleet Street.  At that time they were trading under the name of W. Maxwell & Son and they commenced rebuilding of 8 Bell Yard in 1882 when William Maxwell died.  It was completed in 1883 and the business was carried on there until the amalgamation with Sweet in 1889...

William Maxwell admitted his son to partnership in 1877.  The partnership deed records the value of the business as 21,600 pounds.  William died in 1882...[and] left his half-share of the business to be divided between his children, of whom there were ten.  By 1887 William Alexander had eight children of his own, and having to share the profits with his brothers and sisters put him in great difficulty, particularly as only one of his brothers was helping in the business.  This led him to approach Sweet and to the merger of the businesses and the foundation of Sweet & Maxwell Ltd. on April 1, 1889." (p. 127-128)

So, the bookselling and publishing company which Alexander began continued to grow and remained a family business at least until 1974:  quite a legacy!   Although it is no longer under family ownership, it is still based in London and today employs over 900 people.  

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