SIR JOHN
STIRLING MAXWELL
HEAD of the family of Stirling of Keir, which has played a
notable part in Scottish history for many centuries, the late popular member of
Parliament for the College Division represents also the ancient house of Maxwell
of Pollok, famous for its adherence to the falling fortunes of Queen Mary, and
its support of the "outed" ministers of Covenanting times. Sir John's father,
the fine poet and learned Spanish historian, William Stirling of Keir, inherited
the Maxwell name, lands and baronetcy from his mother's brother, last of the
direct male line. On Sir William's death in 1878, his elder son, the present
baronet, inherited the great Maxwell estate of Pollok, while his brother came
into possession of Keir, the ancient seat of his father's family, near Dunblane.
Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, whose mother was Anna, second
daughter of the 10th Earl of Leven and Melville, was born in London in 1866, and
was educated at Eton and at Trinity College, Cambridge. His introduction to
political life was made as private secretary to Lord Knutsford, Colonial
Secretary in Lord Salisbury's Government from 1887 till 1892. At the General
Election of 1895 he attacked the College Division of Glasgow, previously
considered a secure Liberal seat, and defeated the former member, Sir Charles
Cameron, Bart., and he continued in possession at the General Election of 1900,
but was defeated in 1906.
Sir John and Lady Stirling-Maxwell take a cordial interest in
the charitable and other undertakings, not only of the College Division and of
the great estate of Pollok, but of Glasgow in general, where there is no more
popular name in conjure with.
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Index of Glasgow Men (1909)