McDowell, John

John McDowell, (1751-1820), a lawyer and educator, was born on February 11, 1751 in Peters Township, Cumberland, now Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He was graduated from the College of Philadelphia in 1771, where he served as a tutor until 1782. He moved to Cambridge, Maryland, and was admitted to the bar and practiced law. In 1789, McDowell turned his attention, once again, to teaching. He was professor of mathematics and principal of the newly-formed St. John's College at Annapolis for the next sixteen years. For a brief period, 1806-1810, he was professor of natural history and provost at the University of Pennsylvania, but resigned these positions due to frail health. He returned to Maryland in 1815 and was elected to board of visitors and governors at St. John's College. He spent the last two years of his life living with his sister in Peters Township, Pennsylvania, where he died on December 22, 1820, and was buried. John McDowell, although plagued by a frail constitution throughout his life, distinguished himself through outstanding scholarship and leadership in education.

From the guide to the John McDowell papers, 1790-1818, 1811-1818, (State of Maryland and Historical Collections)