Lowrie, Walter

(Apr. 26, 1868-Aug. 12, 1959). Kierkegaardian theologian and translator. He was born in Philadelphia. Lowrie received his B.A. in 1890, and his M.A. in 1893, both from Princeton University. He studied in Germany, Italy, and Switzerland in 1893-1894. Upon his return home he joined the Episcopal Church. Lowrie was ordained deacon on June 9, 1895, and priest on Dec. 27, 1896. From 1896 until 1898, he was curate at St. James Church, Philadelphia. In 1898-1899, and 1900-1903, he was with the City Mission in Philadelphia. He then served churches in Southwark, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; and Newport, Rhode Island. From 1907 until 1930, Lowrie was rector of St. Paul's American Church in Rome. When he retired in 1930, he returned to Princeton and began what he called an “itinerant ministry.” He published 39 books and numerous articles, including The Short Story of Jesus (1943) and Kierkegaard (1938). A Complete Bibliography of Walter Lowrie was compiled by Donald M. Fox, and published in 1979. From his retirement in 1930 until his death, Lowrie studied and translated the works of Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish nineteenth-century theologian. From 1939 until 1945, he published 12 volumes of Kierkegaard translations. During his retirement, he traveled and lectured throughout the world. Lowrie died in Princeton.