Edmond Dowd

Edmond Franklin Allen Dowd (June 19, 1880 - February 23, 1939) was a British-American electrical engineer, and one of the original founders of Tritian.

Early Life and Education
Edmond Dowd was born in London, England to Roger and Victoria Dowd. Roger Dowd was an Irish ex-Oxford University professor, and at the time 20 years the senior of 31 year old Victoria (nee Rooke). Edmond was the second youngest of four brothers, Luke (born 1870), Allen (born 1875), and William (born 1883). Growing up, his siblings remembered him as a withdrawn and quiet boy, except when conversing about scientific topics. In 1890 his brother Luke joined the British Army and participated in the Mahdist War.

In 1897, at the age of 17, Dowd enrolled at the University College London, where in 1899 fellow Tritian founder and engineer Li Erming also attended, though the two were not to meet until they arrived in the United States some years later. Dowd graduated in 1903 with a doctorate in electrical engineering, and made plans to travel to the United States.

He left for the United States almost immediately upon graduating, and arrived in New York on July 31. While in line at customs, he formally met Li and Elane Dawson, with Li remarking that he had seen him in the halls of UCL. The trio was soon joined by Li Xia and James Robertson.

Tritian
Dowd was very involved in the early business aspects of the company, along with Li Xia, Robertson, and Wilson Osco, and was elected the Chief Research Officer, directing the organization of the various projects undertaken at the company. He worked closely with Robertson and Li Xia in the formation of the Tritian Computer Lab, and after Li Xia's death in 1911 he and Robertson were co-coordinators of the facility. In 1925, Leonard J. Scot became the third CEO of the company. Under him, Dowd became the de facto vice president of the company.