Politician. Born at Melville Mill (north of Lasswade) into a paper-making family, Cowan was the son of Alexander Cowan (1775 - 1859). He was educated at the University of Edinburgh. Cowan was involved in the family firm in Penicuik, but went on to serve as Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1872-74) and was elected as Liberal Member of Parliament for the city (1874-82). An Episcopalian, Cowan was one of the judges of the competition to design St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. He lies buried next to his parents in Grange Cemetery.
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