John Gabbert Bowman

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John Gabbert Bowman (1877–1962) was the tenth Chancellor (1921–1945) of the University of Pittsburgh and the ninth President (1911–1914) of the University of Iowa.

He is best known for initiating and completing the 42-story Cathedral of Learning, the centerpiece of Pitt's campus, over the objections of many faculty and community members. At the time it was the tallest educational structure in the world. He also established the University of Pittsburgh Press.

Bowman was the first University of Iowa alumnus to become its President, as well as the school’s first Iowa-born chief administrator. He earned the B.A. degree in 1899, the M.A. in 1904, and the Litt.D. in 1934.

He also worked as a journalist in Iowa and Illinois, taught in a one-room rural Iowa school and at Columbia University. From Columbia he worked at the newly founded Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

In 1915 he became the founding director of the American College of Surgeons, where he served until 1921.

Bowman was born in Davenport, Iowa. He married Florence Ridgway Berry and they had two children. He died at age 85 on December 2, 1962 in Bedford, Pennsylvania.

Preceded by Samuel McCormick

University of Pittsburgh Chancellor 1921 – 1945

Succeeded by Rufus Fitzgerald

[edit] References

• Alberts, Robert C. (1987). Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787-1987. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press. ISBN 0-8229-1150-7.