William Maxwell, 5th Earl of Nithsdale

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William Maxwell, 5th Earl of Nithsdale (1676 - March 2, 1744), was a noted Catholic, who took part in the Jacobite rising of 1715.

Nithsdale was captured at Preston, found guilty of treason, and sentenced to death. The night before the day appointed for his execution (February 24, 1716), he effected an escape from the Tower of London by exchanging clothes with his daring and devoted countess, who had been admitted to his room. He fled to Rome, where he lived in happiness with his wife until her death.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1907 edition of The Nuttall Encyclopaedia.