McDowell, a renowned individual, was born in Enterprise, Alabama, a small town in the southern United States. His biography, featured in the 1985 edition of Toplin, reveals that he resided in Medford, Massachusetts, a charming city located in the northeastern region of the country.
In addition to his primary residence in Medford, McDowell also maintained a secondary residence in Hollywood, California, where he shared a living space with his sister Ann and Peter Lake, a filmmaker and adventurer. This unique living arrangement allowed McDowell to be surrounded by creative and stimulating influences.
According to his biography, McDowell's daily routine was quite peculiar. He would typically spend his mornings writing, and the remainder of the day would be spent gazing out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of something extraordinary. McDowell was also known for his fascination with morbid topics, and he spent a significant amount of time collecting photographs of corpses.
One of his most notable collecting endeavors was the accumulation of photographs featuring victims of train decapitations, as well as plaques from baby caskets. This unusual fascination has left many wondering about the inspiration behind his morbid interests.
Throughout his life, McDowell was in a long-term relationship with Laurence Senelick, a renowned theatre historian and director. The couple's dedication to one another lasted for an impressive 30 years.
Sadly, McDowell's life was cut short due to an AIDS-related illness, which he succumbed to in 1999 in Boston, Massachusetts. Despite his untimely passing, McDowell's legacy lives on through his unfinished novel, Candles Burning, which was completed by Tabitha King, the wife of celebrated author Stephen King, and published in 2006.
