MB CM Aberdeen 1894, MD 1901, DPH 1899.
McGowan was born in Norwich in 1873 and was educated at Aberdeen University. He began in general practice as assistant to Dr Buchanan of Coleford, and was house surgeon at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Infirmary. McGowan went to Manchester in 1899 and was in practice in the city for over fifty years. McGowan was actively involved in the Manchester division of BMA and held the positions of honorary secretary, chairman and president. He also served on a number of special committees, including the insurance acts committee. He was elected vice-president of the BMA in 1944. McGowan died on 18 February 1951.