Herbert John Davis personal papers

Herbert John Davis succeeded William Allan Neilson as president of Smith College, assuming this role for the 1940-1941 school year. Davis was born on May 24, 1893 in Northamptonshire, England, where he received his elementary and secondary education. He later attended Oxford University (St. John's College) from which he graduated in 1914. He then served in France and Belgium during WWI and in 1919 he returned to Oxford to earn his A.M. In 1922, Davis married Gertrude Lucas of Opladen, Rheinland, Germany but she died tragically just six years later. In 1930, Davis married Gladys Wookey of Toronto and the couple had two daughters, Charlotte Elisabeth Ann and Jane.

In 1920, Davis acquired a position at the University of Leeds where he taught for two years. He then moved to the University of Toronto where he remained for sixteen years. Davis was hired as an Associate Professor of English, and later promoted to a full Professor. He also served as chair of the English department. In 1938, Davis accepted a position as chair of the English department at Cornell University.

Davis served as the fourth president of Smith College from 1939 until 1949 when he returned to Oxford as a reader in textual criticism. Davis retired from Oxford in 1960.

During his academic career, Davis made several notable contributions. Following his passion for poetry and prose, Davis became a world renowned expert on Jonathan Swift and wrote several books on his work including Swift's View of Poetry (1931) and Stella, a Gentlewoman of the Eighteenth Century (1942). The latter is an account of the friendship that existed between Swift and Esther Johnson. Davis also edited the fourteen volume work, The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift (1939-68). Davis' distinguished literary contributions were well recognized and he received several honorary degrees including a Doctorate of Laws from Amherst College in 1940.

In addition to his enthusiasm for the English language, Davis was also extremely socially conscious and particularly concerned with WWII raging overseas. Perhaps his most memorable act of charity was providing a home to five British refugee children for several years during the war. Many of his colleagues and friends followed his lead and opened their doors to children in need. Davis died on March 28, 1967.

1893

Born on May 24, at Long Buckby, Northamponshire, England. Son of Carter and Martha Ann (Sheldon) Davis.

1905

Educated at Northampton Grammar School.

1911

St. John's College, Oxford.

1912

Pass Moderations (Classics)

1914

B.A.; Honour School of English Language and Literature.

1915

Reading for Anglican Orders, Wells Theological College.

1916-1919

War Service--gunner, R.G.A.; subaltern with 301 Siege Battery, France and Belgium; acting-adjutant, 4th Brigade, R.G.A., Army of Occupation.

1919

M.A., Oxford.

1920

Lecturer in English, University of Leeds.

1922

Associate Professor English, University College, Toronto. Married Gertrude Lucas of Opladen, Rheinland, Germany.

1924-1925

Guest Professor in the University of Cologne, Germany.

1925-1935

Professor of English, University College, Toronto. Elected Chairman of the Department of English, University of Toronto.

1928

Gertrude Lucas Davis died.

1930

Married Gladys Wookey of Toronto. Children--Charlotte Elisabeth Ann Davis (Falconer) and Jane Davis (Knowles).

1937

Appointed Professor of English at Cornell University; granted leave of absence for one year in England.

Frederic Ives Carpenter Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago, summer quarter.

1938

Chairman of the Department of English, Cornell University.

1939

Appointed Goldwin Smith Professor of English Literature at Cornell University.

1940

Accepts position as fourth President of Smith College; L.L.D. from Amherst College.

1949

Leaves Smith College; Returns to Oxford to teach English.

1960

Retires from Oxford.

1967

March 28, 1967--Died.