It was a severe shock to his
many friends to hear of the sudden death on 5th May, 1967 of the Rev. Dr.
Thomas Maxwell at the early age of 37 years, after recording an address in
Glasgow as Convener of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Nation Committee.
Dr. Maxwell was the much beloved minister of St. Catherines in Grange,
Edinburgh, to which he was inducted from Musselburgh, Millhill in 1941. He
was born in Stranraer, educated at Cattle Duuglas and Lanark Grammar
schools, and became an alumnus of the University of Edinburgh, graduating
M.A., B.D. and Ph.D. His doctoral thesis was on the controversial pamphlet
material of the late 17th and early 18th Century, and it was to this period
particularly that he directed his historical ability. But he read widely and
was very well informed on the whole range of Scottish Church history.
It is however right to set on record here especially his long and faithful
service to the Scottish Church History Society, of which he acted as Hon.
Secretary from 1938 until 1959. During these years he did the editorial work
and saw to distribution of Records in addition to arranging the Syllabus,
and writing the minutes. In 1962 he was appointed President, which office he
filled well, as he did so many other things well in his full, useful and
gracious life. He contributed several papers at meetings of the Society and
these are available in the Records of the Society.
The Society is deeply thankful for all his many services and mourns his
passing away in the prime of life. Sincerest sympathy is expressed to his
widow and his son. |