Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Dowling, Frank Lewis
DOWLING, FRANK LEWIS (1823–1867), journalist, son of Vincent George Dowling [q. v.], was born, most probably in London, on 18 Oct. 1823, and called to the bar at the Middle Temple 24 Nov. 1848. He became editor of ‘Bell's Life in London’ on the illness of his father in 1851. He was remarkable for his urbanity, and for the fair manner in which he discharged the duties of arbitrator and umpire in numerous cases of disputes connected with the prize-ring. He had the control of the arrangements of the international fight between Sayers and Heenan, 17 April 1860, and it was by his advice that the combatants agreed to consider it a drawn battle, and to each receive a belt. He died from consumption at his lodgings, Norfolk Street, Strand, 10 Oct. 1867. He married, 29 Oct. 1853, Frances Harriet, fourth daughter of Benjamin Humphrey Smart, of 55 Connaught Terrace, Hyde Park, London. He edited and brought out the annual issues of ‘Fistiana, or the Oracle of the Ring,’ from 1852 to 1864, besides preparing a further edition which did not appear until the year after his death.
[Gent. Mag. November 1867, p. 690; Illustrated Sporting and Theatrical News, 19 Oct. 1867, p. 657, with portrait.]