William Bowie: Eminent Scientist and First Chairman (1926–1940) of ASCE’s Surveying and Mapping Division

The ASCE Surveying and Mapping Division is the forerunner of the Society’s present Geomatics Division. It was founded in 1926 thanks to the vision and inspiration of Major William Bowie who served as Chairman from its creation until his death in 1940. This article emphasizes Bowie’s pioneering work related to surveying engineering and mapping in a tribute to his multifaceted scientific career that has not yet been well investigated. Fewmembers ofASCE are aware that a prominent scientist of the caliber of Major William Bowie (May 6, 1872–August 28, 1940) was the initiator and first Chairman of ASCE’s Surveying and Mapping Division. The name of the division was changed to Surveying Engineering Division in 1986 and to the current Geomatics Division in 1997. William Bowie (Fig. 1) is internationally recognized in geodesy (astronomic, geometric, and physical geodesy), geophysics (gravity surveys and their interpretation and isostatic compensation), and, last but not least, engineering. In reading any of the many biographical accounts devoted to Bowie, which are listed inAppendix I, one senses the passion for engineering, in general, and civil engineering, in particular, that was copiously running through Bowie’s veins. This article mainly concentrates on his engineering activities and accomplishments, the least researched aspects of his prolific scientific life. Major Bowie, as he preferred to be addressed, always downplayed the fact that he also attained the superior rank of Captain in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USCG Doctor of Science from Lehigh University in 1922 and George Washington University in 1937; andDoctor of Law fromEdinburghUniversity, Scotland, in 1936. As solely anecdotal information, it should be mentioned that William Bowie descended, on his father’s side, from ancestors that fought in the RevolutionaryWar. His father, grandfather, and great grandfather all served in the Maryland state legislature. Bulloch (1915) and Fleming (1949) provide a brief sketch of his lineage. Early Engineering Activities