Major Ralph Lowell (July 23, 1890 – May 15, 1978) was a World War I veteran, banker, and philanthropist from Boston.

Ralph Lowell chose to pursue a career in banking and finance, as his family had a long history in business and banking in Boston.

He eventually became president of the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company.

In cooperation with another Harvard President, James B. Conant, Lowell used his position at the Institute to help found the WGBH radio and television stations.

He served as president on the board of the WGBH Educational Foundation from 1951 into the 1970s.