Bowie, Walter Russell

(Oct. 8, 1882-Apr. 23, 1969). Seminary professor and renowned preacher. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Bowie received his B.A. in 1904 and his M.A. in 1905, both from Harvard. He received his B.D. from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1908. He was ordained deacon on June 19, 1908, and priest on June 18, 1909. He was rector of Emmanuel Church, Greenwood, Virginia, 1908-1911; of St. Paul's Church, Richmond, Virginia, 1911-1923; and of Grace Church, New York City, 1923-1939. From 1939 until 1950, he was professor of practical theology at Union Theological Seminary, New York, and from 1945 until 1950, he was dean of Students. In 1950 he became professor of homiletics at Virginia Theological Seminary, where he taught until his retirement in 1955. Bowie was one of the great preachers in the Episcopal Church. He is included in most histories of preaching. In 1935 he delivered the Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching at Yale Divinity School, and they were published under the title The Renewing Gospel. Bowie published numerous books and was an associate editor of exposition for the twelve volumes of The Interpreter's Bible (1951-1957). He died in Alexandria, Virginia.