He was born at Wolfert"s Dell, Irvington, New York and graduated from Columbia University in 1885. His father, George Sullivan Bowdoin, was a partner in Drexel, Morgan & Company, who died in January 1913. He was a descendant of the Dudley-Winthrop family, Alexander Hamilton, and the Schuyler family.
His mother was a descendant of Moses Grinnell, formerly the Collector of the Portuguese of New New York After college Bowdoin spent several years traveling and entered the banking business. He was in charge of the accounting business of Justice of the Peace Morgan & Company.
Bowdoin was connected to Morgan for twenty-five years and a partner for fifteen years.
He was a director of the Niagara Development Company, Niagara Falls Power Company, and the Niagara Junction Railway Company. He belonged to the Metropolitan Club, University Club of New York, New York Yacht Club, Union Club of the City of New York, Saint Anthony Club, Tennis Ardsley Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, and the Automobile Club of America.
She died on August 9, 1912. Bowdoin died at his home at 104 East 37th Street on December 2, 1914, following an operation for an intestinal disorder.
Justice of the Peace Morgan & Company closed for a time on the day of his death, out of respect.
He was survived by a son, George Temple Bowdoin, a student at Groton School.
