Richard Bowie graduated from Georgetown Law School and was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He held various positions in the Maryland legislature and served as a state's attorney for Montgomery County. Bowie transitioned to federal service, representing Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives. He later became a chief judge in the Maryland Court of Appeals and the sixth judicial circuit, showcasing a commitment to judicial roles.

Richard Bowie's political career reveals a commitment to traditional Whig principles, yet his judicial tenure and Civil War experiences hint at a more complex ideological alignment. His support for protective tariffs and national banking aligns with Whig economic policies, but his detention by Confederate forces suggests nuanced views on regional loyalty and conflict. Bowie's dual roles in state and federal legislative bodies underscore a highly localized approach to governance, balancing national interests with regional concerns.