Dictionary of National Biography, 1901 supplement/Cowen, Joseph (1829-1900)
COWEN, JOSEPH (1829–1900), politician and journalist, born at Stella Hall, Blaydon-on-Tyne, on 9 July 1831, was eldest son of Sir Joseph Cowen, who represented Newcastle in parliament from 1865 to his death in 1873, and was knighted for personal services extending over many years on the River Tyne commission with the result of rendering the river navigable for sea-going ships instead of for coal barges merely. His ancestors came from Lindisfarne, and they lived, laboured, and died on Tyneside during three centuries, many being employed at Winlaton in Sir Ambrose Crowley's factory for smith's wares. Their employer is believed to be the Sir John Anvil of Addison's 'Spectator.'
Cowen's grandfather was the last member of the Cowen family in Sir John's employment, and, on the closing of the factory in 1816, this grandfather began business on his own account at Blaydon Burn. The works there were devoted to making fire-bricks and gas retorts; Sir Joseph Cowen greatly enlarged them. Cowen himself, who derived a very large income from them, sold them shortly before his death.
Cowen was educated, first at a private school in Ryton, and secondly at the university of Edinburgh. His university career was chiefly remarkable for his pre-eminence in the debating society. While a student he interested himself in the revolutionary movements on the continent in 1848, and made Mazzini's acquaintance by letter. He took no degree.
After leaving the university Cowen joined his father in business; but he still continued to promote revolution throughout Europe. His movements were closely watched by spies in the service of foreign police in order that they might discover how revolutionary documents were imported into their respective countries. These papers were really smuggled among the shipments of fire-bricks which were made from Blaydon Burn to foreign parts. Cowen numbered among his guests and friends Mazzini, Kossuth, Louis Blanc, and Ledru Rollin; Wysocki, who was a leader of the insurgent Hungarians; Mieroslawski and Worcell, who were Poles in revolt against Russia; and Herzen and Bakunin, who were Russians and the declared enemies of the Russian government. Without his aid the lot of many foreign refugees in England would have been far harder, his purse being always open to help them, while his pen was always ready to advocate their cause and encourage their efforts. At home Cowen sympathised with chartists, and strenuously laboured on their behalf. He was an active member of the northern reform league, which was founded on 3 Jan. 1858, and existed till 1862. In 1866 it was reorganised with Cowen as chairman.
He wrote much for the public press, being a contributor from boyhood to the 'Newcastle Chronicle,' of which, in later life, he became proprietor and editor. He also established a monthly, the 'Northern Tribune.'
On his father's death in 1873 he succeeded him as member for Newcastle, having a majority of 1,003. He was chosen again at the general election in 1874. His maiden speech was delivered in 1876 on the Royal Titles Bill, and it produced a strong impression on the House of Commons, Disraeli sending his compliments. Cowen did not conceal his satisfaction that a political opponent should have done so, nor his chagrin that Gladstone, whom he supported, had disparagingly referred to one of his speeches as smelling of the lamp. Indeed, all his speeches were carefully prepared and very rhetorical in form, as were his writings. It was obvious that he had adopted too many of the mannerisms of Macaulay. In the House of Commons his delivery was marred by a strong Northumbrian accent; but this was no defect when he addressed his constituents.
His popularity was somewhat lessened by what was considered to be his erratic conduct, such as the support he gave to the tory government in the case of the Russo-Turkish war; but he always cherished his right to independence in judgment and action. A home ruler before Gladstone took up the question, Cowen remained so to the end of his life, but he also remained an imperialist of a pronounced type. He cultivated independence in all relations of life. His customary dress was that of a Northumbrian miner on a Sunday, which was then a novelty in the House of Commons. He had an aversion to society, yet, being very rich, open-handed, and well read, he was a welcome guest everywhere.
When entering a public meeting of the electors of Newcastle on 18 March 1880 he was crushed and injured internally, never wholly recovering from the effects. Re-elected in 1880, he retired at the general election in 1885, refusing to be a candidate again. He continued to conduct the 'Newcastle Chronicle' till his sudden death on 18 Feb. 1900. In 1854 he married Jane, the daughter of John Thompson of Fatfield, Durham, and he left behind him a son and daughter. A portrait of Cowen is prefixed to his 'Life and Speeches,' by (Major) Evan Rowland Jones, 1885.
[Supplement to Newcastle Chronicle, 19 Feb. 1900; The Times of same date; Life and Speeches, by Major E. R. Jones, 1885.]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.293
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
| Page | Col. | Line | |
| 72 | i | 3 f.e. | Cowen, Joseph: for (1829 read (1831 |
| 73 | i | 12 f.e. | for 1885 read 1886 |