Egypt Exploration Society

General Sir John Maxwell, P.C., G.C.B. Born 1859. Died 1929 Author(s): H. G. L. Source: The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (May, 1929), pp. 103-104 Published by: Egypt Exploration Society Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3854021 Accessed: 19/01/2010 09:19
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GENERAL SIR JOHN MAXWELL, P.C., G.C.B.

Born 1859. Died 1929. All those who are interested in Egypt, whether in its modern phases or in the record of its ancient civilization, will have learned with deep regret of the death of General Sir John Maxwell at Cape Town in February last. Born in 1859, he was educated at Cheltenham, and joined the 42nd Royal Highlanders (now 1st Battalion, The Black Watch) in 1879. His regiment proceeded to Egypt in 1882, took part in the battle of Tell el-Kebir in the Highland Brigade, and remained in Egypt as part of the Army of Occupation. This was the beginning of Sir John Maxwell's connection with Egypt, which continued with but short interruptions almost until his death. He was one of the first group of British officers who were seconded in 1883 for service with the new Egyptian Army, which Sir Evelyn Wood was organizing, and in it he took part in the Nile campaign of 1884-85. When his uncle Sir Francis Grenfell became Sirdar of the Egyptian Army in succession to Sir Evelyn Wood he appointed Maxwell to be his A.D.C., and in this capacity, and later as Military Secretary, Maxwell saw further service against the dervish forces outside Suakin in 1888, and on the Nile at Toski in 1889. The Sirdar was himself much interested in all that concerned the ancient history of Egypt, and had, while at Aswan, cleared the rock tombs which still bear his name. Thus Maxwell's interest in the subject was early aroused, and throughout his life he keenly followed all aspects of archaeological research in Egypt. In 1896 the advance on Dongola commenced, as the first step in the reconquest of the Sudan, and in all the operations which culminated in the battle of Omdurman he played a prominent part, commanding the 2nd Brigade in this final action. In 1898 he became Governor of Omdurman and carried out the responsible duties of this post with conspicuous success. As a Military Governor, both at Omdurman and later at Pretoria, his shrewdness, tact, kindliness, his readiness to accept responsibility and his firmness in administration were seen to the fullest advantage, and in both cases his governorship quickly led to orderly and stable government. In 1900 he was called to the South African War, and on the termination of military administration there he returned to England. Eight years later, however, he was selected for the post of G.O.C. Egypt, and thus returned to the land where his keenest interest lay. He held this appointment for four years until 1912, but only two years later, on the outbreak of war, he arrived in Cairo to command the British forces. During these two years Lower Egypt was threatened by the Turks on the Suez Canal and by the Senussi tribesmen on the west. Martial law came into operation, and the administration of the country generally was greatly disorganized by the war which had spread throughout the length and breadth of Europe. It was most fortunate at this juncture that the command in Egypt could be placed in the hands of one who not only knew the country, its needs, and its characteristics, but who was also known personally to a very large number of Egyptians, and reckoned many among them as his personal friends. As the British

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GENERAL SIR JOHN MAXWELL, P.C., G.C.B.

forces in Egypt increased and preparations for the operations in Palestine began to develop, re-arrangements of staff became necessary, and most unfortunately these involved the return of Sir John Maxwell to England. Had it been possible to retain him in Egypt in the following years, his influence and his knowledge of the country would almost certainly have avoided many of the difficulties and misunderstandings which subsequently arose. His next post was Commander-in-Chief in Ireland at a very difficult time, after which he became General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command until 1919. With the termination of his military career he was free to devote his energies to other things, and one of these was Egyptian archaeology. A private collection, begun long before in Egypt and added to from time to time as opportunity occurred, had kept his interest alive, and by the time he disposed of it last summer it comprised a large number of representative pieces illustrating the arts and crafts of Ancient Egypt. On the death of Field-Marshal Lord Grenfell, Sir John succeeded him as President of the Egypt Exploration Society, and from then up to the time of his death devoted himself wholeheartedly to its welfare and its advancement. He laboured strenuously and successfully in the Society's interest, urging upon many the need for supporting the work which it is doing for the publication of what remains from ancient times, and for the systematic and scientific excavation of ancient sites. As a close personal friend of the late Earl of Carnarvon he was greatly interested in the discovery and the subsequent investigation of the tomb of Tutrankhamin. Later, as an executor of Lord Carnarvon, he was associated with the arrangements made for the preservation of this important discovery. Though Sir John Maxwell had many interests and many fields of activity, his loss will nowhere be more keenly felt than among those who are interested in the archaeology of Egypt, since he appreciated how much there still remains to be done and how urgent is the need for the work to be taken in hand before damage and deterioration overtake much of what still remains. H. G. L.