Robert W. Dowling (September 9, 1895 – August 28, 1973) was a real estate investor and philanthropist in theNew York City area.Dowling College was named for him.
Robert Whittle Dowling was born in New York City.[1] His father Robert Emmett Dowling was president of the City Investing real estate firm. In 1915 he made the first recorded swim aroundManhattan (in 13 hours 45 minutes).[2] Following his father's death in 1943, he took over his father's company.
Although Dowling had no formal education beyond high school, his advice was sought for the design and establishment of theParkchester,Stuyvesant Town, andPeter Cooper Village real estate ventures. All three ventures marked a change in the classic New York City grid to create housing developments within a campus setting.[3] Dowling received aSpecial Tony Award in 1948 for his contribution to theatre as result of his ownership of theFulton Theatre,Morosco Theatre andCoronet Theatre andGaiety Theatre[4]
In 1957, he was among the developers who transformed the Globe Movie Theatre into a legitimate Broadway theatre now called theLunt-Fontaine Theatre. He was among the producers of the originalSound of Music.[5] Dowling, who was a friend ofAdelphi University dean Allyn P. Robinson, provided a grant of $3 million in 1968, which allowed the Adelphi campus inOakdale, New York to become independent and it becameDowling College.Dowling College closed in 2016.
