Anthony Bowen

Rev. Anthony Bowen (18091871), was a civic leader among the African-American community in Washington, D.C., and the first African-American employee of the United States Patent Office. Both the Anthony Bowen YMCA and Anthony Bowen Elementary School in Washington, D.C., are named in his honor.

Early life Born a slave on October 8, 1809, in Prince George's County, MD, on the estate of William Bradley, he was one of four children of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bowen. In 1826, he bought his freedom and started the first black YMCA. He moved to the Southwest Section of Washington.

Career Despite having no formal education, Bowen was able to become a clerk in the United States Patent Office. He started as a laborer, moving up to messenger before being named to a clerkship.

The YMCA chapter for African-Americans he founded eventually constructed the Twelfth Street YMCA Building in 1908 and later renamed it the Anthony Bowen YMCA. The structure was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1994 (the new Anthony Bowen YMCA facility is located at 1325 W Street NW).

Upon his death, the E Street School was renamed the Anthony Bowen School, the name carrying on in the new Amidon-Bowen Elementary School, the combination of Bowen with Margaret Amidon Elementary.