Louis G. Cowan

 
Louis G. Cowan (December 12, 1909 – November 18, 1976) was a President of CBS Networks, a creator of quiz shows (including "Quiz Kids" radio program, "Stop the Music", and "The $64,000 Question" for television), a television producer and was director of the Voice of America from 1943–1945.
He and his wife died in a house fire in New York City, believed to be caused by “smoking carelessness”. Survivors included his sons Paul Cowan and Geoffrey Cowan.
Early life.
Cowan was born Louis Cohen in 1909 in Chicago but changed his name at age 21. Cowan's parents were Orthodox Jews. His father was Jacob Cohen, a failed businessman, and his mother was Hetty Smitz Cohen. He graduated from the University of Chicago, where he met his wife Pauline "Polly" Spiegel, granddaughter of Joseph Spiegel, founder of the Spiegel catalog.
Career.
He produced more than 50 programs during his three years with CBS, including “Captain Kangaroo,” and won two Peabody Awards. After he left CBS, he founded Chilmark Press, was director of the Brandeis University Communications Center, special lecturer at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and founded the William E. Wiener Oral History Library for the American Jewish Committee.
Personal life.
In 1976, Cowan died along with his wife in a house fire. They had four children: Paul Cowan, Geoffrey Cowan, Holly Cowan Shulman, and Liza Cowan.
Legacy.
Cowan's papers and archives, along with the archives of Chilmark Press, are held at Columbia University.