Finding Aid
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Papers of John G. Bowman Access and Restrictions: This collection is open for research. Digital Surrogates: Except where indicated, this document describes but does not reproduce the actual text, images and objects which make up this collection. Materials are available only in the Special Collections Department. Copyright: Please read The University of Iowa Libraries' statement on Property Rights, Copyright Law, and Permissions to Use Unpublished Materials. Use of Collections: The University of Iowa Libraries supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted by their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with donors, and it may not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading, viewing or accessing non-paper-based materials. Please read our Use of Manuscripts Statement. Acquisition and Processing Information: These papers were transferred to the University Archives from the Office of the President; date undetermined. Guide posted to the Internet December 2006. Photographs: |
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Biographical Note
The first University of Iowa alumnus to become its president, John Gabbert Bowman was also the school’s first Iowa-born chief administrator. The Davenport native received the B.A. degree in 1899, the M.A. in 1904, and the Litt.D. in 1934.
While university president, Bowman oversaw the formation of the colleges of Education and Fine Arts, the latter existing as a college for only a few years until it was reorganized as a school within the College of Liberal Arts. He also promoted the work of the University’s Extension Division. Following his departure from Iowa, he became the first director of the American College of Surgeons in 1915. From 1921 to 1945 he was chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh and was its president from 1945 until retiring in 1947.
A controversial educator, Bowman promoted construction of the 42-story Cathedral of Learning at Pittsburgh, over the objections of many faculty members. Completed in 1929, it was at the time the tallest educational structure in the world.
Bowman was born in Davenport in 1877. He married Florence Ridgway Berry in 1908, and they had two children. He died on December 2, 1962, at age 85.
Related Materials
Bowman, John Gabbert. The World That Was. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1947.
Box Contents List
Presidential correspondence; 8.0 ft.
