[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 moved to Oak Bowery, Alabama, in 1846 and engaged in agricultural pursuits.

[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] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress † – Chaired a committee along with Duncan that ran Auburn, but never held the title of president‡ – Served as interim president prior to being named the permanent president