Born at Gibraltar, he was third son of a merchant there, who later moved to Guernsey.

He went to London, and, after lessons from Henry Sass, entered the Royal Academy schools.

He gained the first silver medal, for the best copy of Nicolas Poussin's Rinaldo and Armida in the Dulwich Picture Gallery.

After a visit to the south of France he returned to Guernsey, and died on 28 November 1839.

[1] In 1837 Cowper exhibited at the Royal Academy The Last Interview, followed in 1838 by Shylock, Antonio, and Bassanio.