Background
Cowan, John was born on March 19, 1932 in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland. Son of James Allan and Effie (Stark) Cowan.
Cowan, John was born on March 19, 1932 in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland. Son of James Allan and Effie (Stark) Cowan.
Bachelor of Science with 1st class honors, University Edinburgh, Scotland, 1952. Master of Science, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 1967. Doctor of Philosophy, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 1975.
Doctor of Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 1988. MBE, 1990.
Senior design engineer Blyth & Blyth, Edinburgh, 1954-1964. Lecturer Heriot-Watt College, 1964-1966, Heriot-Watt University, 1966-1967, senior lecturer, 1967-1977, reader, 1977-1982, professor engineering education, 1982-1987. Director Open University in Scotland, Edinburgh, since 1987.
Fellow Institute Structural Engineers (Murray Buxton diploma 1977).
Married Audrey Walker Henderson, June 15, 1957. Children: David, Peter, Janet, Sandy.