Brian Kowell
Brian D. Kowell became interested in the American Civil War in 5th grade and became a lifelong student of the Civil War. He graduated from Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio in 1973 with a B.S. in Biology and an Ohio Teaching Degree in Secondary Education for Science. He played 4-years varsity tennis in college and taught tennis full-time for two years after college in Chicago, Hawaii and Cleveland. In 1975 he started his 35-year career in pharmaceutical sales – 32 of those years with 3M’s pharmaceutical division as a field rep, hospital rep and company trainer. Brian returned to teaching tennis at Towpath Tennis Club in Akron, Ohio and has played in National Seniors’ tournaments. He is a member of the Cleveland Civil War Round Table, having served as president and newsletter editor, a member of the North Fort Myers Civil War Round Table, and past-charter member of the Northeast Ohio Civil War Round Table. Brian lives in Hinckley, Ohio with his wife Carole and winters in Estero, Florida. When he is not reading or writing about the Civil War, he can be found playing and teaching tennis.
Brian began writing for the Emerging Civil War in 2021. Brian published articles can be found in:
America’s Civil War, vol. 5, no. 2, July, 1992: “Pell-Mell Cavalry Chase: The Battle of Buckland Races”
North & South Magazine Series II, vol, 4, no. 5, Dec., 2024: “David vs Goliath at Hampton Roads: The Squib vs the Minnesota”
North & South Magazine, Series II, vol. 4, no. 6: “Fighting Generals: Sweeny vs Dodge”
North & South Magazine, Series II vol.5, no.1 (to be released): “The Case of Lucy Bagby: The Last Fugitive Slave.”
Brian is also a member of the Emerging Civil War Speakers’ Bureau and is available to speak on the following topics:
The Magnificent Seven: Pook’s Turtles in the Civil War
Follows the inception, construction and battles of Eads City-class ironclads. The Battle of Buckland Races: Kilpatrick and Custer vs Stuart and Fitz Lee
The Case of Lucy Bagby: The Last Fugitive Slave
Follows the life of runaway slave Lucy Bagby and her capture in Cleveland, Ohio
Horses in the Civil War
Discusses the importance of Civil War Horses, their acquisition, care, and sacrifice
and some famous horses of the Civil War.
The Life of William Rion Hoel: Mississippi Riverboat Pilot and Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, U.S.N.
Follows Hoel’s life and his Civil War exploits on the Mississippi River.
John Barleycorn in the Civil War
Alcohol in the Civil War in the ranks and officer corps.
