Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bowles, William
BOWLES, WILLIAM (1705–1780), naturalist, was born near Cork. He gave up the legal profession, for which he was destined, and in 1740 went to Paris, where he studied natural history, chemistry, and metallurgy. He subsequently travelled through France, investigating its natural history and mineral and other productions. In 1752, having become acquainted with Don Antonio de Ulloa, afterwards admiral of the Spanish fleet, Bowles was induced to enter the Spanish service, being appointed to superintend the state mines and to form a collection of natural history and fit up a chemical laboratory. He first visited the quicksilver mines of Almaden, which had been seriously damaged by fire, and the plans he suggested were successfully adopted for their resuscitation. He afterwards travelled through Spain, investigating its minerals and natural history, living chiefly at Madrid and Bilbao. He married a German lady, Anna Rustein, who was pensioned by the king of Spain after her husband's death. Bowles is described as tall and fine-looking, generous, honourable, active, ingenious, and well informed. His society was much valued in the best Spanish circles. He died at Madrid 25 Aug. 1780.
Bowles's principal work was 'An Introduction to the Natural History and Physical Geography of Spain,' published in Spanish at Madrid 1775. It is not systematically arranged, but has very considerable value as being the first work of its kind. The second edition (1782) was edited by Don J. N. de Azara, who rendered considerable assistance to the author in preparing the first edition. It was translated into French by Vicomte de Flavigny (Paris, 1776). An Italian edition, much enlarged by Azara, then Spanish ambassador at Rome, was published at Parma in 1784. Bowles was also the author of 'A Brief Account of the Spanish and German Mines' (Phil. Trans. lvi.); of 'A Letter on the Merino Sheep,' &c. (Gent. Mag. May and June 1764); and of 'An Account of the Spanish Locusts' (Madrid, 1781). Sir J. T. Dillon's 'Travels through Spain' (London, 1781) is very largely an adaptation of Bowles.
[Preface to English translation of Bowles's Treatise on Merino Sheep, London, 1811.]