Dunbar Rowland

Dunbar Rowland
Dunbar Rowland, circa 1905
Born	(1864-08-25)August 25, 1864 Oakland, Yalobusha County, Mississippi
Died	November 1, 1937(1937-11-01) (aged 73) Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi
Occupation	attorney, archivist, and historian

Dunbar Rowland (August 25, 1864 − November 1, 1937) was a noted American attorney, archivist, and historian. He served as Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History from its inception, in 1902, until his death in 1937.

Born in Oakland, Mississippi, Dunbar Rowland was the youngest son of physician William Brewer Rowland and Mary Bryan Rowland. He received his primary education at private schools in Memphis, Tennessee and prepared for college at Oakland Academy. In 1886, Rowland received a BS degree from the A&M College in Mississippi, then pursued a law degree at the University of Mississippi, graduating in 1888.

For 5 years, Rowland practiced law in Memphis, then moved to Coffeeville, Mississippi and set up a law office. He often submitted historical articles for publication in the Commercial Appeal, Atlanta Constitution, and Mississippi Historical Society.

In 1902, Dunbar Rowland became the first director of the newly created Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). In the early years of his tenure, Rowland concentrated on collecting Confederate records to preserve and commemorate the sacrifice of Mississippi soldiers during the American Civil War.

In 1906, Rowland married Eron Opha Moore Gregory, who would become an eminent historian in her own right.