Isaiah Bowman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isaiah Bowman
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A painting of Isaiah Bowman
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| Born | December 26, 1878 |
| Died | January 6, 1950 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Harvard University Yale University |
| Known for | Founding Director, American Geographical Society President, Johns Hopkins University |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geography |
| Institutions | American Geographical Society Johns Hopkins University |
Isaiah Bowman was an American geographer and university president. He was born in Canada on December 26, 1878, and later became an American citizen. He is known for leading the American Geographical Society and serving as president of Johns Hopkins University. Bowman also played a role in important world events, like peace talks after World War I and the founding of the United Nations. However, some of his actions and views, especially concerning certain groups of people, were very controversial. He passed away on January 6, 1950.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Isaiah Bowman was born in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. When he was very young, his family moved to a log cabin in Michigan, USA. In 1900, Isaiah became an American citizen. He then studied hard to get into Harvard University.
He first attended Michigan State Normal College. There, a geographer named Mark Jefferson noticed him. Jefferson had studied at Harvard under a famous geographer, William Morris Davis. Jefferson helped Bowman get into Harvard. After one year, Bowman returned to Michigan for a year, then went back to Harvard. He graduated in 1905.
Career in Geography
After college, Bowman became a teacher and student at Yale University. He stayed there for ten years. During this time, he went on three study trips to South America. He led the third trip in 1913. This research helped him earn his PhD in 1909. It also provided material for several books.
In 1915, Bowman became the first director of the American Geographical Society (AGS). He led the AGS until 1935.
Important Books by Bowman
Some of the books Isaiah Bowman wrote or edited include:
- Forest Physiography (1911)
- South America (1915)
- The Andes of Southern Peru (1916)
- The New World-Problems in Political Geography (1921)
- Desert Trails of Atacama (1924)
- The Pioneer Fringe (1931)
- Limits of Land Settlement (1937) (Main Editor)
World War I and Peace Efforts
When the United States joined World War I in 1917, Bowman offered the AGS's help to the government. He was asked to gather information for a future peace conference. In December 1918, Bowman traveled to France. He became a Chief Territorial Specialist, helping decide land areas and national borders. He worked closely with President Woodrow Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference.
Johns Hopkins University President
In 1935, Bowman became the fifth president of Johns Hopkins University. The university was facing financial problems due to the Great Depression. Bowman worked to reduce debt and raise money. By the late 1930s, the university was financially stable again.
World War II Contributions
During World War II, Bowman also advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He spent part of each week in Washington, D.C. He helped the university by encouraging the creation of the Applied Physics Laboratory in 1942. Scientists there developed the Proximity fuze. This device helped artillery shells explode near a target, which was very useful in battles.
As a government adviser, Bowman also helped found the United Nations. He took part in the Dumbarton Oaks Conference and the San Francisco Conference.
Post-War and Retirement
After World War II, Bowman returned to being a full-time university president. He helped Johns Hopkins prepare for soldiers returning home to continue their education. He also wanted to create a strong geography school at the university. He was briefly successful, but the school struggled to attract top scholars. Isaiah Bowman retired from Johns Hopkins in 1948. He passed away a little over a year later. After his death, the geography school was changed to a department, and his name was later removed from it.
Controversial Views and Actions
Isaiah Bowman's time as president of Johns Hopkins University was marked by some controversial decisions. He held views that led to unfair policies, especially regarding university admissions.
For example, in 1939, President Roosevelt asked Bowman to lead "Project M." This project aimed to find safe places for people leaving Europe during World War II. Bowman's team looked for empty lands in many countries, but not in the United States. Historians have found that Bowman's personal views influenced his decisions. He was known to have prejudiced opinions that affected who was hired and admitted to the university. In 1942, he put limits on the number of students from certain backgrounds who could be admitted to Johns Hopkins.
Bowman Expeditions Today
Since 2005, the American Geographical Society has launched new research projects called the Bowman Expeditions. These projects honor Isaiah Bowman. They involve international research and aim to advise the U.S. government on future trends in different countries. One project in Mexico, called Mexico Indigena, caused some debate. This was because it received funding from the U.S. Army.
Images for kids
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A painting of Isaiah Bowman
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Inter-American Education Conference, Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Dr. Isiah Bowman, and Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles.
See also
In Spanish: Isaiah Bowman para niños
