Dr Stuart Watson McGowan was born in 1929, Bothwell, Glasgow and died in 2010, Dundee aged 80. Dr McGowan married Mabel Wilson in 1966, Dundee.

In 1969, Dr McGowan was a lecturer in Anaesthesia at the University of Dundee and from 1972 became a Senior Lecturer until 1992.

Dr McGowan was Honorary Secretary of the North-East of Scotland Society of Anaesthetists (1964-66). Council member of The Scottish Society of the History of Medicine (1990-92).