L. Earle Rowe papers (23.1.2)

Biographical note

Born in Providence, RI, L. Earle Rowe graduated from Brown University in 1904. While at Brown, Rowe studied drawing and watercolor painting at RISD as part of a new agreement between the two schools. He attended Saturday classes at RISD as a child in 1892. Studying under Professor William C. Poland (RISD President, 1896-1907), Rowe was one of the first Brown students to receive a Master's in Fine Arts (1906).

Rowe studied at the American School of Classical Studies, Athens (1906-1907) before accepting the position of Docent at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in 1907. He became an Assistant in the Egyptian Art Department in 1910 and then traveled to Egypt in 1912 as a Field Assistant on an archaeological expedition. He returned to Providence later that year to accept the position of Director.

Deemed RISD's first "museum man," Director Rowe devoted far greater energies to the Museum of Art than his predecessors serving as Secretary of the Museum Committee and Editor of The Rhode Island School of Design Bulletin, first published January 1913. He inaugurated Sunday Gallery Talks and Docent work. In addition, he wrote for the Bulletin of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Art and Archaeology, and Antiques. He attempted to resign in 1918 in order to serve during World War I. The Board of Trustees did grant a leave of absence, but the Armistice was signed before he could leave.

Rowe's well-being and the stress of his administrative duties led to the appointment of the first full time Dean in 1919. His health declined during the 1920s resulting in a leave of absence in 1928. His return and the resignation of the Dean brought about a profound change in the administrative structure of RISD in 1929. The Board of Trustees voted to divide his administrative duties between two equal positions: the Museum Director and the Educational Director. Rowe continued as Museum Director until his death February 17, 1937. Shortly thereafter, the Museum Director was placed under the administrative control of the newly created position of Executive Vice-President, which replaced the Educational Director.