Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell had made significant contributions to Taiwan's modern medical care, establishing the first western medicine hospital - Sin-Lau Hospital. Recently, the Tainan City Government has placed a memorial plaque at Dr. Maxwell's birthplace in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in commemoration of his sacrifices and achievements. On the plaque, Dr. Maxwell's contributions to Taiwan's and Tainan's medicine are engraved together with a QR Code which is linked to a webpage with Dr. Maxwell's biography. It is worth noting that the logos of Tainan City, Edinburgh City, and Sin-Lau Hospital are also displayed on it, symbolizing the friendship between Tainan and Edinburgh bridged by Dr. Maxwell.
As indicated by Mayor Huang Wei-che, Tainan City hosted a grand memorial event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Dr. Maxwell's death in 2021. Now, this year being the 400th anniversary of Tainan City and the 160th anniversary of Sin-Lau Hospital alongside the upcoming 900th anniversary of Edinburgh City, this plaque hung in the birthplace of Dr. Maxwell not only pays tribute to his sacrifices but also historically witnesses the exchanges between Tainan and Edinburgh since the 19th century.
Mayor Huang Wei-che also expresses his gratitude to all the efforts made by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, Sin-Lau Hospital, the University of Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh City Chambers, Scotland Taiwanese Association, and the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, Edinburgh Office, which allowed the memorial plaque to be successfully cast and hung on the main thoroughfare in Edinburgh, a point where the passers and tourists can honor and commemorate Dr. Maxwell.
Sin-Lau Hospital reverend Shi Lian-cheng, the great-granddaughter of Dr. Maxwell Mrs. Hilarie Burnett and her husband Mr. Peter Hounam, former Regional Directors in Asia of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland Mr. Sandy Snodden and his wife Mrs. Marie Snodden, and former President of the Scotland Taiwanese Association Ms. Jenny Chen were present to witness the memorial plaque. Their hearts were touched with intense emotions and admiration as they were able to witness such an accomplishment.
Dr. Maxwell's memorial plaque is situated in Simon Laurie House near his birthplace No. 200 Canongate, Edinburgh, a buzzing road located in Edinburgh's old town area. The site belongs to the University of Edinburgh. Being the first medical missionary sent to Taiwan by the Presbyterian Church of England, Dr. Maxwell achieved a profound impact on the medical development in Taiwan.