Benjamin Francis McDowell died at Umtali, Rhodesia, at the end of 1929.
He received his early technical education at Heidelberg, Germany, followed by two and a half years of practical engineering work as an apprentice to engineers in London and Dublin. He next took a four-years’ course at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated with degrees in Arts and Engineering (with honours).
On completion of the course he went to South Africa in 1894, first to the Transvaal in minor positions, then as assistant engineer in the construction of the Beira Railway, followed by engagements in Portuguese East Africa and Mozambique. He joined the staff of the Manica Copper Development Co., Ltd., in 1904, and remained in Rhodesia until 1916, when he returned to England and Ireland for about four years. In 1920 he went back to Rhodesia and was engaged in professional work until his death.
Mr. McDowell was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1907.
Vol. 40, Trans IMM 1930-31, pp.451-2
