Edwin Maxwell was born in 1825 in Weston, Virginia, and later relocated to a farm near Weston. He pursued a law career, beginning in 1848, and established practices in multiple counties, including a partnership with Burton Despard and Nathan Goff, Jr. Maxwell transitioned into public service, chairing the Judiciary Committee in the West Virginia Senate and drafting the "Maxwell amendment" concerning post-Civil War citizenship rights. He served as Attorney General and a circuit judge before becoming an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. Throughout his career, Maxwell held various legislative positions and ran for higher offices, including an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate.

Edwin Maxwell's political career reveals a complex ideological stance, particularly in his nuanced approach to post-Civil War Reconstruction. He championed the formation of West Virginia while simultaneously advocating for a measured approach to disenfranchisement through the Maxwell Amendment. His legislative record shows an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, revealing a highly calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests. Maxwell's rhetorical style, earning him the nickname "Old Honesty," suggests a commitment to transparency and integrity, yet his policy positions hint at a strategic balancing act between idealism and pragmatism.