- Listenly
- Public Library
- All Authors
- Sir William Edward Maxwell
author
Sir William Edward Maxwell
1846–1897
A lawyer-turned-administrator in the British Empire, he spent much of his career in Southeast Asia and later became governor of the Gold Coast. He is also remembered for writing on Malay history, folklore, and law, leaving behind work that still interests historians.
1 Audiobook
A Manual of the Malay language
by Sir William Edward Maxwell
About the author
Born on August 5, 1846, he was the son of Sir Peter Benson Maxwell, chief justice of the Straits Settlements. Trained in law, he built his career in colonial administration and held senior posts in British Malaya, including service connected with Perak and Selangor, before becoming colonial secretary of the Straits Settlements.
Alongside official work, he wrote extensively on Malay subjects. Records from the Royal Asiatic Society and library catalogs show articles and papers on Malay folklore, local history, customary law, and language, which helped preserve material that scholars continue to use.
Later in life he was appointed governor of the Gold Coast, where he served until his death on December 14, 1897. His career reflects both the reach of the British colonial system and a lasting scholarly interest in the history and cultures of the Malay world.