John Bowen (Royal Navy officer)

Rear-Admiral John Bowen (baptised 14 February 1780 – 20 October 1827) was an English Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator, who led the first settlement of Tasmania at Risdon Cove.

Governor King soon appointed him to form the new settlement at Risdon Cove, Van Diemen's Land.

In January 1804 Bowen, in Ferrett, left for Sydney so that he could return to the navy in the then current war against France, however Governor King told him to return to Risdon via the failing Port Phillip settlement and to resettle either at Hobart or Port Dalrymple, and requested Bowen to deliver administration of the Risdon settlement to David Collins.

Bowen finally left Hobart in August 1804 on Ocean, and in January 1805 sailed for England in Lady Barlow.

In February 1811 he wrote to Robert Peel, Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, suggesting that he should succeed Collins as Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land.