Edgar Cowan

Edgar Cowan
United States Senator from Pennsylvania
In office March 4, 1861 – March 4, 1867
Preceded by	William Bigler
Succeeded by	Simon Cameron
Personal details
Born	September 19, 1815 Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, US
Died	August 31, 1885 (aged 69) Greensburg, Pennsylvania, US
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Lucitra Oliver Cowan
Profession	Politician, Lawyer, Raftsman, Schoolmaster

Edgar Cowan (September 19, 1815 – August 31, 1885) was an American lawyer and Republican politician from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate during the American Civil War.

Cowan was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Franklin College, Ohio, in 1839 and subsequently became a raftsman, boat builder, schoolmaster, and a student of medicine. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1842. He was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1861, to March 4, 1867, and was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the Senate. During his tenure in office, he served as chairman, Committee on Patents and the Patent Office (Thirty-seventh through Thirty-ninth Congresses). Following the Civil War, he was appointed by President Andrew Johnson as Minister to Austria in January 1867, but was not confirmed by the Senate. He then resumed the practice of law.

Cowan died in Greensburg and was buried in St. Clair Cemetery.

External links

• United States Congress. "Edgar Cowan (id: C000819)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Edgar Cowan at Find A Grave