John McCowan (4 February 1863 – 24 November 1900) was a Scottish physicist born in

Bridge of Allan Bridge of Allan ( sco, Brig Allan, gd, Drochaid Ailein), also known colloquially as ''Bofa'', is a town in the Stirling council area in Scotland, just north of the city of Stirling. Overlooked by the National Wallace Monument, it lies on the A ...

, near

Stirling, Scotland Stirling (; sco, Stirlin; gd, Sruighlea ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city in Central Belt, central Scotland, northeast of Glasgow and north-west of Edinburgh. The market town#Scotland, market town, surrounded by rich farmland, ...

, to tailor William McCowan and his wife Mary McKay. He was educated at the

University of Glasgow , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...

(B.Sc. 1883, M.A 1886, D.Sc. 1892). He taught first at the

Royal College of Science for Ireland The Royal College of Science for Ireland (RCScI) was an institute for higher education in Dublin which existed from 1867 to 1926, specialising in physical sciences and applied science. It was originally based on St. Stephen's Green, moving in ...

(in Dublin) from 1884 to 1888, and from then on at

University College, Dundee A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...

. McCowan was a pioneer in the study of the

fluid mechanics Fluid mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the mechanics of fluids ( liquids, gases, and plasmas) and the forces on them. It has applications in a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical, aerospace, civil, chemical and bio ...

and physics behind

surfing Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitabl ...

, and his papers on

wave theory In historical linguistics, the wave model or wave theory (German ''Wellentheorie'') is a model of language change in which a new language feature (innovation) or a new combination of language features spreads from its region of origin, affecting ...

are still being cited over a century later. His career was cut short due to heart issues, and he died at age 37.
Hydraulicians in Europe, 1800-2000: a biographical dictionary of leaders in hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics
' Journal of Hydraulic Research. Volume 42, 2004 - Issue 4

Scientific publications

* J. McCowan, ''On the solitary wave'', Philosophical Magazine, Vol. 32, pp. 45–58 (1891). * J. McCowan, ''On the highest wave of permanent type'', Philosophical Magazine, Vol. 38, pp. 351–358 (1894).

References

Scottish physicists 1863 births 1900 deaths People from Bridge of Allan {{Scotland-scientist-stub