| James Ferguson Dowdell | |
| Office1: | President of Auburn University |
| Term Start1: | 1868 |
| Term End1: | 1870 |
| Predecessor1: | William J. Sasnett |
| Successor1: | Isaac T. Tichenor |
| State2: | Alabama |
| District2: | 3rd |
| Term Start2: | March 4, 1855 |
| Term End2: | March 3, 1859 |
| Predecessor2: | Sampson W. Harris |
| Successor2: | David Clopton |
| State3: | Alabama |
| District3: | 7th |
| Term Start3: | March 4, 1853 |
| Term End3: | March 3, 1855 |
| Predecessor3: | Alexander White |
| Successor3: | Sampson W. Harris |
| Office4: | Member of the Alabama House of Representatives |
| Term4: | 1849 1851 |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Birth Date: | 26 November 1818 |
| Birth Place: | near Monticello, Georgia |
| Death Place: | Auburn, Alabama |
James Ferguson Dowdell (November 26, 1818 – September 6, 1871) was the second President of the East Alabama College, now known as Auburn University, from 1868 to 1870, and a U.S. Representative from Alabama.[1] [2]
James Ferguson Dowdell was born on November 26, 1818, near Monticello, Georgia.[1] Dowdell completed preparatory studies and in 1840 and graduated from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia.[1] He studied law.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Greenville, Georgia.[1] He moved to Oak Bowery, Alabama, in 1846 and engaged in agricultural pursuits.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the State house of representatives in 1849 and 1851.[1]
James Dowdell was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1859).[1] [3] During the Civil War he served as colonel of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry, under General Price from 1862 until the close of the war.[1] [2]
From 1868 to 1870, he served as the second President of the East Alabama College, now known as Auburn University.[1] [2] [3]