James Ferguson Dowdell

James Ferguson Dowdell
President of Auburn University
In office 1868–1870
Preceded by	William J. Sasnett
Succeeded by	Isaac T. Tichenor
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1859
Preceded by	Sampson W. Harris
Succeeded by	David Clopton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 7th district
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855
Preceded by	Alexander White
Succeeded by	Sampson W. Harris
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
In office 1849 1851
Personal details
Born	(1818-11-26)November 26, 1818 near Monticello, Georgia
Died	September 6, 1871(1871-09-06) (aged 52) Auburn, Alabama
Political party	Democratic

James Ferguson Dowdell (November 26, 1818 – September 6, 1871) was the second President of the East Alabama College, now known as Auburn University, from 1868 to 1870, and a U.S. Representative from Alabama.

James Ferguson Dowdell was born on November 26, 1818, near Monticello, Georgia. Dowdell completed preparatory studies and in 1840 and graduated from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Greenville, Georgia. He moved to Oak Bowery, Alabama, in 1846 and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the State house of representatives in 1849 and 1851.

Dowdell was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1859). During the Civil War he served as colonel of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry, under General Price from 1862 until the close of the war.

From 1868 to 1870, he served as the second President of the East Alabama College, now known as Auburn University.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

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