Olive Cowell

Olive Thompson Cowell (1887–1984) was a patron of the arts and music, and a professor of International Relations. She taught in high schools for several years before becoming professor at San Francisco State University. She taught at the university until 1956.

Life Cowell was the step-mother of pianist and composer Henry Cowell. She was the third wife of Henry Clayton Blackwood Cowell,

Cowell was a member of the Temple of the People, an offshoot of the Theosophical Society. Henry Cowell was also influenced by Theosophy. As a teen he met the Irish Theosophist poet John Varian, and set some of his poetry to music. Irving Morrow, husband of Gertrude Comfort Morrow, was interested in music and played percussion with Lou Harrison and John Cage. Cowell supported her son's projects including New Music Quarterly, a publication, and the New Music Society, which hosted concerts.