Term Start: | 1958 |
Term End: | 1966 |
Birth Date: | 12 May 1926 |
Death Place: | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
Education: | Oklahoma State University |
James L. Maxwell was an American politician who served as the 29th Mayor of Tulsa between 1958 and 1966.
James Livingston Maxwell was born on May 12, 1926, in Tulsa to William Maxwell and Mary O'Donnell. During World War II, he served in the United States Army in Burma, India, and China. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1950.
A member of the Democratic Party, Maxwell was elected Mayor of Tulsa in 1958, becoming the city's youngest mayor.[1] During his tenure Tulsa had its first master plan, integrated public facilities, and advocated several development projects including the Cox Business Convention Center, downtown government complex, central library, the Inner Dispersal Loop, and the Tulsa International Airport. He also oversaw the acquisition of the Gilcrease Museum. In 1966, he lost his re-election campaign to the Republican nominee James Hewgley, Jr. Maxwell ran again in 1968, but lost the election. He never married and died on October 18, 1984.[2]