William M. Fowler, Jr. papers

William Morgan Fowler, Jr. was born on July 25, 1944 in Clearwater, FL. He received his B.A. from Northeastern University in 1967, married Marilyn Louise Noble on August 11, 1968, and received a Master's degree in 1969 and a Ph. D. in 1971 from University of Notre Dame. In 2000, he was awarded an honorary degree from Northeastern University. Fowler became an assistant professor of history at Northeastern University in 1971 and was named Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1977. In 1988, he was named the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education. In 1993, he became the Chair of the Department of History, a position he held for four years. During Fowler's tenure as a professor at Northeastern University, he was also a member of several important committees, including University Library Planning Committee, Centennial Celebration Committee, and The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Steering Committee. In 1998, Fowler left Northeastern University to become the director of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He held the position for 8 years, resigning in January 2006 to return to Northeastern University as a Distinguished Professor of History.

Fowler is the author of a of a number of books dealing with American history including: Under Two Flags: The Navy in the Civil War; Silas Talbot Captain of the Old Ironsides; America and The Sea; William Ellery: A Rhode Island Politico and Lord of Admiralty; Rebels Under Sail: The Navy in the Revolution; Jack Tars and Commodores: The American Navy, 1783-1815; and Samuel Adams: Radical Puritan. Fowler's area of expertise is New England Maritime History. Other areas of interest include the history of the French and Indian War, The Seven Years War and the Struggle for North America. Fowler has taught courses at Northeastern University dealing with: the History of Boston, Maritime History, and the History of New England. He also teaches at Mystic Seaport Museum and has lectured at the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Naval War College, and the Sea Education Association. He is a trustee of the Ralph Waldo Emerson Association, The Paul Revere Memorial Association, and the Old North Church Foundation. He is a member of the Massachusetts State Archives Advisory Commission and an honorary member of the Boston Marine Society, as well as a Consulting Editor to The New England Quarterly.

July 25, 1944

William Morgan Fowler, Jr. is born in Clearwater, FL.

1967

Fowler graduates from Northeastern University magna cum laude with a bachelor degree in History.

August 11, 1968

Fowler marries Marilyn Louise Noble, an elementary teacher who he has two children with.

1969

Fowler receives a Master's degree from the University of Notre Dame.

1971

Fowler receives a Ph.D. from University of Notre Dame and becomes an assistant professor of history at Northeastern University.

1973

Publishes William Ellery: A Rhode Island Politico and Lord Admiralty, Scarecrow (Metuchen, NJ).

1976

Publishes Rebels under Sail: The American Navy during the Revolution, Scribner (New York City) for which he is highly praised and awarded.

1977

Fowler is named Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and is named one of Boston's Top Best Teachers.

1979

Fowler co-edits The American Revolution: Changing Perspectives, Northeastern University Press (Boston).

1980

Publishes The Baron of Beacon Hill: A Biography of John Hancock, Houghton (Boston).

1984

Publishes Jack Tars and Commodores: The American Navy, 1783-1815, Houghton (Boston).

1985

Contributes to Command under Sail: Makers of Naval Traditions, Naval Institute Press (Annapolis, MD).

1988

Fowler is named the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education.

1990

Publishes Under Two Flags: The Navy in the Civil War, Norton (New York City).

1993

Fowler is named the Chair of the Department of History; he holds this position for four years.

1995

Publishes Silas Talbot Captain of the Old Ironsides, Mystic Seaport Museum (Mystic, CT).

1998

Fowler becomes the Director of the MA Historical Society, a position he held for 8 years.

2006

Fowler returns to Northeastern University as a Distinguished Professor of History.