Born at Musselburgh in 1830, Dr. Howden received his elementary education there. After taking his degree at the University of Edinburgh, in 1852, he studied at Paris. He served as Assistant Medical Officer, under Dr. Skae, at the Royal Asylum, Edinburgh; and in 1857 received the appointment of Medical Superintendent of the Montrose Lunatic Asylum, succeeding Dr. Gilchrist, who had gone to the Royal Crichton Institution, Dumfries.