Dower, John Gordon 1900 - 1947

John Gordon Dower was born in Ilkley, Yorkshire, England on 2 September 1900 and studied architecture at St. John's College, Cambridge (1919-23). He was subsequently articled to Sir Herbert Baker (1862-1956).  He was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1930 and the following year set up a private practice in London, specialising housing and town planning.  He later developed an interest in rural planning and a pamphlet by him, The Case for National Parks in Great Britain, published by the Council for the Protection of Rural England in 1938 received a wide circulation. His subsequent research into the need for national parks led to the passing of The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act in 1949 which provided the statutory basis for national parks in England and Wales

Dower's address was given as 28 John Street, London in 1929; 5 Verulum Buildings, Gray's Inn, London in 1939 and Cambo House. Cambo, Northumberland in 1947.  He died in Kirkby Malham, Yorkshire on 3 October 1947