Joseph Raymond Nonnatus Maxwell SJ (7 November 1899 – 18 September 1971) was an American Catholic priest, academic, poet, and college administrator.

[2] His presidency took place during the difficult years during World War II, when the number of students decreased due to military conscription,[1] and his leadership style has been described as conservative.

[5] In November 1938, the Association of American Universities sent evaluators to the college and later prepared a report as part of the accreditation process.

"[5] The accreditors recommended that faculty members pursue further studies "in leading graduate and professional institutions, including at least some not connected with the Catholic Church.

[1][7] As president, he struggled with a drop in enrollment caused by the Korean War, but also made improvements to the school's administration, including the development of faculty norms for promotion.

[7] In addition, the university's intellectual and cultural esteem increased as a result of bringing in respected lecturers and professors, including many from outside traditional Catholic circles.

[7] Some of those invited to lecture during Maxwell's presidency included Adlai Stevenson II, G. Mennen Williams, Frank Sheed, Robert Frost.

[8] Notably, it was during Maxwell's presidency that Boston College seriously debated whether or not to change its name to reflect its status as a university.

[9] Input from the larger Boston College community flooded in when Maxwell opened the discussion to faculty, alumni, Jesuits, and administrators.

[10] After being relieved of missionary duties in 1971, he embarked on a tour of Europe, where he died on 18 September 1971 in Ybbs an der Donau, Austria, at the age of 71.