Born at Lowtre, Cardiganshire, the son of the Rev Daniel Rowlands, for many years Vicar of Llanllwch, near Carmarthen. He went to school at Carmarthen and then studied at St George's Hospital. Returning to Carmarthen he practised there for forty years as Surgeon to the Infirmary and to the Prison, also as Coroner for the three Commotts District of Carmarthenshire. He took much interest in municipal affairs, sat for fifty years on the Town Council, was an Alderman, and Mayor in 1857. A Conservative in politics, he was much respected by all classes. He was the oldest member of the Town Council and of the medical profession in Carmarthenshire, when illness compelled him to retire, and he died six months later at 51 King Street, Carmarthen, on April 10th, 1899.