Biography of Edward Cowan

Professor Ted Cowan was Emeritus Professor of the University of Glasgow, formerly Professor of Scottish History and Literature and Director of the Crichton Campus, Dumfries.

Edward Cowan was born in Edinburgh, but was raised, lived and eventually retired to Dumfries and Galloway. Scotland and the south-west in particular were the focus of his career, not only at Glasgow, but at the University of Edinburgh and University of Guelph, Ontario. His academic output made him highly regarded in Scotland, Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Australia. His work took in the Viking impact on Scotland, the Wars of Independence, Scottish war poets and popular culture.

As director of the University's Crichton campus, he successfully fought against its closure. His teaching attracted public audiences and scholars alike, making university teaching accessible for generations of students in the south-west of Scotland. He contributed to 18 books and nearly 100 articles. He retired in 2009.

Ted Cowan died in 2022 at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Dr Lizanne Henderson and his children, Karen, Morna, David and eight grandchildren.

Summary

Edward Cowan
Historian
Born 1944.
Died 2 January 2022.
University Link: Professor
GU Degree:
Occupation categories: historians
Record last updated: 4th Feb 2022

University Connections

University Roles

• Professor

Academic Posts

Professorships:

• Scottish History and Literature