Lowrey, Walter McGehee, 1920-1980
Biography
Born July 19, 1920, in Mansfield, Louisiana, Walter McGehee Lowrey was a professor of history and a
scholar. He received his B.A. in history from Louisiana State University in 1942. After serving in the
European Theater of World War II, Lowrey was awarded his M.A. from LSU in 1947, and his Ph.D.
from Vanderbilt University in 1956.
From 1948 to 1963, Lowrey worked at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. He was a
professor of history and the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Nicholls. From 1963 to 1980, Lowrey
worked at Centenary College of Louisiana. At Centenary, he was a professor of history and served as
the Chairman of the Department of History and Government. He received the “Centenary College
Alumni Award as the Outstanding Teacher of 1966.”
Lowrey was an active member in many organizations and societies, such as Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, the Southern Historical Association, the Louisiana Historical Association (founding
member, president 1963-1964, and board of directors), the North Louisiana Historical Association
(vice-president and board of directors), the Commission on Archives and History of the United
Methodist Church (treasurer), the Historical Study Committee of Shreveport, the Louisiana Committee
for the Humanities, and the Historical Preservation of Shreveport Committee.
Lowrey’s publications include articles and reviews in Louisiana Historical Quarterly, Louisiana
History, North Louisiana Historical Journal, and other periodicals. His writings also include articles in
Encyclopedia Britannica, a chapter on the Red River in Rivers and Bayous of Louisiana, and
Centenary College of Louisiana: Sesquicentennial, 1825-1975.