Educated at Glasgow University where he graduated in 1931, he held appointments at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London and the General Hospital, Birmingham. During the second world war MacGowan was an orthopaedic specialist in the RAF, and after the war he settled in York as an orthopaedic surgeon. He was consultant surgeon to the hospitals in the York A group. He lived for some time at Mulberry Hall, 17 Stonegate, York and later bought a sixteenth-century house Skelton Manor. He collected fine furniture and restored it himself. MacGowan had abundant physical energy, and dealt with his countless patients in a friendly, personal manner. When he realised the end of his life was near he continued working and his sense of humour remained unchanged. MacGowan died at his home on 29 January 1959 aged 50. He was survived by his wife Sylvia, one son and three daughters. Publications: Ossification of vertebral body. *Lancet* 1939, 1, 258. Adolescent kyphosis. *Glasgow med J* 1940, 133, 206. Plastic splints. *Lancet* 1943, 1, 805.