William Richard Gowers
Mayor of Oxford 1954/5
William Richard Gowers (1910–1985) was born in Kensington, the son of Ernest Arthur Gowers (born in Marylebone) and Constance Macgregor Gowers (born in Antrim). He was the grandson of the neurologist Sir William Richard Gowers.
The 1911 census shows William at the age of just one living with his parents and older sister Margaret Mary (3), and three servants, at 1 Campden HIll Square, West Kensington. His father (30) was then described as a Civil Service Junior Clerk, Private Secretary, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.
After studying at Clare College, Cambridge, Gowers became a solicitor, and was eventually senior partner in the Oxford firm of Herbert & Gowers.
During the Second World War, Gowers served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.
Gowers was elected to the Council in 1946, and was made an Alderman in 1952. He was elected Mayor of Oxford (for 1954/5), and to mark the 600th anniversary of St Scholastica’s Day which fell during his mayoralty he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by the University (and in return the Vice-Chancellor A. H. Smith received the freedom of the city).
Gowers retired from the Council in 1956. He joined the Board of Governors of the United Oxford Hospitals, which later became the Area Health Authority, and in 1973 he became Chairman of that Authority. He was awarded the CBE in 1976. His home was at Aston Tirrold.
Gowers died at the age of 74 in January 1985. He left one son and one daughter.
See also:
- Oxford Mail, 32 December 1976, p. 3 (awarded CBE)
- Oxford Times, 25 January 1985, p. 2 (obituary)
- Oxford Mail, 22 January 1985, p. 7 (obituary)