1906-1980 Painter, draughtsman, watercolourist, printmaker, architect, Maxwell Bennett Bates, was born in Calgary on December 14th, 1906, son of architect William Stanley Bates. Studied with Lars Haukaness at the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art, Calgary, 1926-1927; with Max Beckmann and Abraham Rattner at Brooklyn Museum Art School, New York, 1949-1950. Taught at Provincial Institute of Technology and Art 1948-1949.
As an architect, was employed by W.S. Bates, Calgary, 1924-1931, 1946-1950; J.H. Gibbons and Harold Davies, London, 1934-1939; in partnership with A.W. Hodges, Calgary, 1951-1957. Served in British Territorial Army 1939-1945; prisoner of war 1940-1945. Affiliations: Calgary Art Club 1926-1928, Twenties Group, London, 1932-1939; Calgary Group 1946 (founder-member); ASA 1947, honorary member 1963; CSGA 1947; FCA 1946; AAA 1951, honorary member 1963; CSPWC 1951; MRAIC 1951, life member 1963, honorary member 1966; International Society of Plastic Arts 1956; CGP 1957; FIAL 1960; ARCA 1961; RCA; 1970; associate BCSA 1965, member 1967; The Limners 1971, president 1971. Lived in London 1931-1939; Calgary 1946-1962; Victoria from 1962. Travelled to Vancouver 1928; Chicago 1929; Europe 1958-1959. Works include St. Mary's Cathedral, Calgary 1954-1957 (with A.W. Hodges). Honorary doctorate, University of Calgary, 1971; o.c. 1980.
Maxwell Bates died in Victoria on September 14th 1980.