About William McDowall
Lived 1749 – 1810 (aged 60–61). William McDowall was a British politician and plantation owner.
William McDowall (c. 1749 – 3 April 1810) of Garthland and Castle Semple was a Scottish Member of Parliament.
Life
He was the eldest son of William McDowall, Member of Parliament for Renfrewshire from 1768 to 1774, and Elizabeth Graham.
He was a partner in the firm of Alexander Houston & Co., a major Glasgow firm trading in the West Indies, which failed in 1801.
He was Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire from 1794 until his death, and Rector of Glasgow University from 1795 to 1797.
Family
His younger brother James McDowall was twice Lord Provost of Glasgow.
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Important facts
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William McDowall's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William McDowall?
Scottish politician, died 1810
When was William McDowall born?
William McDowall was born in 1749.
When did William McDowall die?
William McDowall died on 3 April 1810.
What was William McDowall's occupation?
William McDowall was a politician and plantation owner.
What nationality was William McDowall?
William McDowall was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William McDowall. https://biography.guide/william-mcdowall/
MLA: "William McDowall." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-mcdowall/.
Chicago: "William McDowall." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-mcdowall/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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