Richard Harding Davis (18 April, 1864 – 11 April, 1916) was a famous journalist and writer who is known as being the first American war correspondent covering the Spanish-American War.
- Mr. Davis was born in Philadelphia, PA to a mother who was a prominent writer (Rebecca Harding Davis) and a father who was a journalist and editor (Lemuel Clarke Davis).
- While attending Lehigh University, Davis established the Lehigh Football team. However, Davis was asked to leave the university because he was favoring his social life over his studies.
- Davis first gained attention as a journalist tackling such issues as execution, suicide and abortion.
- Davis is mentioned in Sinclair Lewis’s book Dodsworth as the example of an exciting, adventure-seeking legitimate hero.
- Davis was a good friend of Teddy Roosevelt, and he helped create the reputation of the Rough Riders while reporting on the Spanish-American War.
- Writing about his observations of the shelling of Matanzas, Cuba from an American warship during the Spanish-American war, Davis got all reports banned from American naval vassals for the rest of the ar.
- Davis was an honorary member of the Rough Riders.
- Davis’ novel Soldiers of Fortune was turned into a play and two movies.
- During World War I, Davis was arrested by the Germans who thought he was a spy.
- Davis’ second wife, Bessie McCoy was a Vaudeville performer.
Zohar – Man of la Book
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