Influential Dumfriesian. Born in Maxwelltown (Dumfries), the son of a cabinetmaker, McDowall was educated at Dumfries Academy. He began an apprenticeship with a local bookbinder, working in Glasgow and London. He then became a journalist working on newspapers in Edinburgh and Belfast before returning to Dumfries in 1846 to take the editorship of the Dumfries Standard. He served in this role until his death, but was also a Town Councillor and a noted local historian, who published a History of Dumfries in 1867. He died suddenly at his home and lies buried in Troqueer kirkyard.
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