Background
Crowell was born on October 12, 1869 in Cleveland, Ohio to William Crowell.
Crowell was born on October 12, 1869 in Cleveland, Ohio to William Crowell.
He attended Yale University, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity, graduating in 1891 with both a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts
As war loomed, he rose quickly through the ranks of the United States Army Reserve, being made first an honorary major on his entry in 1916, and eventually a brigadier general before being tapped for political positions. During the war he went on to serve as Assistant Secretary of War and Director of Munitions, founded the Army Ordnance Association in 1919, and eventually became a special consultant to the Secretary of War during World World War World War II He remained influential and active in politics between the wars, serving as a principal framer of the National Defense Acting of 1920, and was president of the Army Ordnance Association, a lobbying group, for a quarter of a century. He died in Cleveland on September 8, 1952.
Crowell is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.