Richard Harding Davis (April 18, 1864 – April 11, 1916) was an American journalist and writer of fiction and drama, known foremost as the first American war correspondent to cover the

Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...

, the

Second Boer War The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the Sout ...

, and the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. His writing greatly assisted the political career of

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...

. He also played a major role in the evolution of the American magazine. His influence extended to the world of fashion, and he is credited with making the clean-shaven look popular among men at the turn of the 20th century.

Biography

Davis was born on April 18, 1864 in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

.''Encyclopedia of World Biography'', 2nd ed. (1998) His mother

Rebecca Harding Davis Rebecca Blaine Harding Davis (June 24, 1831 – September 29, 1910) was an American author and journalist. She was a pioneer of literary realism in American literature. She graduated valedictorian from Washington Female Seminary in Pennsylvania ...

was a prominent writer in her day. His father, Lemuel Clarke Davis, was himself a journalist and edited the ''

Philadelphia Public Ledger The ''Public Ledger'' was a daily newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, published from March 25, 1836, to January 1942. Its motto was "Virtue Liberty and Independence". For a time, it was Philadelphia's most popular newspaper, but circulation de ...

''. As a young man, Davis attended the

Episcopal Academy The Episcopal Academy, founded in 1785, is a private, co-educational school for grades Pre-K through 12 based in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Prior to 2008, the main campus was located in Merion Station and the satellite campus was located in D ...

. In 1882, after an unhappy year at

Swarthmore College Swarthmore College ( , ) is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1864, with its first classes held in 1869, Swarthmore is one of the earliest coeduca ...

, Davis transferred to

Lehigh University Lehigh University (LU) is a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. The university was established in 1865 by businessman Asa Packer and was originally affiliated with the Epis ...

, where his uncle, H. Wilson Harding, was a professor. While at Lehigh, Davis published his first book, ''The Adventures of My Freshman'' (1884), a collection of short stories. Many of the stories had originally appeared in the student magazine the ''Lehigh Burr''. In 1885, Davis transferred to

Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private university, private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins is the oldest research university in the United States and in the western hem ...

. After college, his father helped him gain his first position as a journalist at the ''

Philadelphia Record ''The Philadelphia Record'' was a daily newspaper published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1877 until 1947. It became among the most circulated papers in the city and was at some points the circulation leader. History ''The Public Record'' ...

'', but he was soon dismissed. After another brief position at the ''

Philadelphia Press ''The Philadelphia Press'' (or ''The Press'') is a defunct newspaper that was published from August 1, 1857, to October 1, 1920. The paper was founded by John Weiss Forney. Charles Emory Smith was editor and owned a stake in the paper from 1880 un ...

'', Davis accepted a better-paying position at the ''

New York Evening Sun ''The Sun'' was a New York newspaper published from 1833 until 1950. It was considered a serious paper, like the city's two more successful broadsheets, ''The New York Times'' and the ''New York Herald Tribune''. The Sun was the first successfu ...

'' where he gained attention for his flamboyant style and his writing on controversial subjects such as

abortion Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of pregn ...

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...

and execution. He first attracted attention in May to June 1889, by reporting on the devastation of

Johnstown, Pennsylvania Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,411 as of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. Located east of Pittsburgh, Johnstown is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropol ...

, following the destructive flood. He added to his reputation by reporting on other noteworthy events such as the first electrocution of a criminal (the execution of

William Kemmler William Francis Kemmler (May 9, 1860 – August 6, 1890) was an American peddler, alcoholic, and murderer, who, in 1890, became the first person in the world to be executed by electric chair. He was convicted of murdering Matilda "Tillie" Ziegle ...

in 1890). Davis became a managing editor of ''

Harper's Weekly ''Harper's Weekly, A Journal of Civilization'' was an American political magazine based in New York City. Published by Harper & Brothers from 1857 until 1916, it featured foreign and domestic news, fiction, essays on many subjects, and humor, ...

'', and was one of the world's leading war correspondents at the time of the

in South Africa. As an American, he had the opportunity to see the war first-hand from both the British and

Boer Boers ( ; af, Boere ()) are the descendants of the Dutch-speaking Free Burghers of the eastern Cape Colony, Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. From 1652 to 1795, the Dutch East India Company controll ...

perspectives. Davis also worked as a reporter for the ''

New York Herald The ''New York Herald'' was a large-distribution newspaper based in New York City that existed between 1835 and 1924. At that point it was acquired by its smaller rival the ''New-York Tribune'' to form the '' New York Herald Tribune''. His ...

'', ''

The Times ''The Times'' is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its sister paper ''The Sunday Times'' (fou ...

'', and ''

Scribner's Magazine ''Scribner's Magazine'' was an American periodical published by the publishing house of Charles Scribner's Sons from January 1887 to May 1939. ''Scribner's Magazine'' was the second magazine out of the Scribner's firm, after the publication of ' ...

''. He was popular among a number of leading writers of his time, and is considered the model for illustrator

Charles Dana Gibson Charles Dana Gibson (September 14, 1867 – December 23, 1944) was an American illustrator. He was best known for his creation of the Gibson Girl, an iconic representation of the beautiful and independent Euro-American woman at the turn of the ...

's dashing "Gibson man", the male equivalent of his famous

Gibson Girl The Gibson Girl was the personification of the feminine ideal of physical attractiveness as portrayed by the pen-and-ink illustrations of artist Charles Dana Gibson during a 20-year period that spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries in th ...

. He is mentioned early in

Sinclair Lewis Harry Sinclair Lewis (February 7, 1885 – January 10, 1951) was an American writer and playwright. In 1930, he became the first writer from the United States (and the first from the Americas) to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, which was ...

' book '' Dodsworth'' as the example of an exciting, adventure-seeking legitimate hero. Davis had success with his 1897 novel ''Soldiers of Fortune'', which he turned into a play written by

Augustus Thomas Augustus Thomas (January 8, 1857 – August 12, 1934) was an American playwright. Biography Born in St. Louis, Missouri and son of a doctor, Thomas worked a number of jobs including as a United States House of Representatives Page, page in the 4 ...

. His novel was filmed twice, in 1914 and in

1919 Events January * January 1 ** The Czechoslovak Legions occupy much of the self-proclaimed "free city" of Pressburg (now Bratislava), enforcing its incorporation into the new republic of Czechoslovakia. ** HMY ''Iolaire'' sinks off the c ...

Allan Dwan Allan Dwan (born Joseph Aloysius Dwan; April 3, 1885 – December 28, 1981) was a pioneering Canadian-born American motion picture director, producer, and screenwriter. Early life Born Joseph Aloysius Dwan in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Dwan, was ...

. The 1914 version starring

Dustin Farnum Dustin Lancy Farnum (May 27, 1874 – July 3, 1929) was an American singer, dancer, and actor on the stage and in silent films. Although he played a wide variety of roles, he tended toward westerns and became one of the biggest stars of the genr ...

was shot on the Cuban locations that Davis used in his novel, and Davis was present during the filming. During the

, Davis was on a

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

warship when he witnessed the shelling of

Matanzas, Cuba Matanzas (Cuban ) is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. Known for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban folklore, it is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas (Spanish ''Bahia de Matanzas''), east ...

, a part of the

Battle of Santiago de Cuba The Battle of Santiago de Cuba was a decisive naval engagement that occurred on July 3, 1898 between an American fleet, led by William T. Sampson and Winfield Scott Schley, against a Spanish fleet led by Pascual Cervera y Topete, which occurred ...

. His story made headlines, but as a result, the Navy prohibited reporters from being aboard any American naval vessel for the rest of the war. Theodore Roosevelt with Richard Harding Davis

Theodore Roosevelt with Richard Harding Davis

Davis was a good friend of

, and he helped create the legend surrounding the

Rough Riders The Rough Riders was a nickname given to the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments raised in 1898 for the Spanish–American War and the only one to see combat. The United States Army was small, understaffed, and diso ...

, of which he was made an honorary member. Some have even gone so far to accuse Davis of involvement in

William Randolph Hearst William Randolph Hearst Sr. (; April 29, 1863 – August 14, 1951) was an American businessman, newspaper publisher, and politician known for developing the nation's largest newspaper chain and media company, Hearst Communications. His flamboya ...

's alleged plot to have started the war between Spain and the United States in order to boost newspaper sales; however, Davis refused to work for Hearst after a dispute over fictionalizing one of his articles. Bessie and Hope Davis

Despite his alleged association with

yellow journalism Yellow journalism and yellow press are American terms for journalism and associated newspapers that present little or no legitimate, well-researched news while instead using eye-catching headlines for increased sales. Techniques may include e ...

, his writings of life and travel in Central America, the

Caribbean The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Se ...

Rhodesia Rhodesia (, ), officially from 1970 the Republic of Rhodesia, was an unrecognised state in Southern Africa from 1965 to 1979, equivalent in territory to modern Zimbabwe. Rhodesia was the ''de facto'' successor state to the British colony of S ...

and South Africa during the

were widely published. He was one of many war correspondents who covered the

Russo-Japanese War The Russo-Japanese War ( ja, 日露戦争, Nichiro sensō, Japanese-Russian War; russian: Ру́сско-япóнская войнá, Rússko-yapónskaya voyná) was fought between the Empire of Japan and the Russian Empire during 1904 and 1 ...

from the perspective of the Japanese forces. Davis later reported on the

Salonika front The Macedonian front, also known as the Salonica front (after Thessaloniki), was a military theatre of World War I formed as a result of an attempt by the Allied Powers to aid Serbia, in the autumn of 1915, against the combined attack of German ...

of the First World War, where he was arrested by the Germans as a spy, but released.

Personal life

Davis was married twice, first to Cecil Clark, an artist, in 1899, and, following their 1912 divorce, to

Bessie McCoy Bessie McCoy (1888 – August 16, 1931) was an Irish-American Vaudeville star best known for her 1908 hit song and dance routine "The Yama Yama Man", for which she became known as "The Yama Yama Girl". Her husband was the war correspondent Richa ...

, an actress and

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

performer, who is remembered for her signature "

Yama Yama Man "The Yama Yama Man" was a comical song for the Broadway show ''The Three Twins'', published in 1908 by M. Witmark & Sons with music by Karl Hoschna and lyrics by Collin Davis. It became popular after Bessie McCoy's animated performance in a sat ...

" routine. Davis and Bessie had a daughter, Hope. Davis died of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

on April 11, 1916, while on the telephone. It was seven days before his 52nd birthday. His friend and fellow author

John Fox, Jr. John Fox Jr. (December 16, 1862 – July 8, 1919) was an American journalist, novelist, and short story writer. Biography Born in Stony Point, Kentucky, to John William Fox Sr. and Minerva Worth Carr, Fox studied English at Harvard University ...

was surprised by his sudden death, writing, "He was so intensely alive that I cannot think of him as dead—and I do not. He is just away on another of those trips and it really seems queer that I shall not hear him tell about it." His wife Bessie would also die young, at age 42 in 1931 from intestinal problems.

Legacy

A plaque denoting his boyhood home can be seen at 21st and Chancellor Streets in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

. Davis's ''Gallegher and Other Stories'' became the series ''Gallegher'', starring

Roger Mobley Roger is a given name, usually masculine, and a surname. The given name is derived from the Old French personal names ' and '. These names are of Germanic origin, derived from the elements ', ''χrōþi'' ("fame", "renown", "honour") and ', ' ( ...

Edmond O'Brien Eamon Joseph O'Brien (September 10, 1915 – May 9, 1985) was an American actor and film director. His career spanned almost 40 years, and he won one Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. O'Brien w ...

, and

Harvey Korman Harvey Herschel Korman (February 15, 1927May 29, 2008) was an American actor and comedian who performed in television and film productions. His big break was being a featured performer on CBS' ''The Danny Kaye Show'', but he is best remembered f ...

on ''

Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color The Walt Disney Company has produced an anthology television series since 1954 under several titles and formats. The program's current title, ''The Wonderful World of Disney'', was used from 1969 to 1979 and again from 1991 to the present. The pr ...

'' on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...

Partial list of works

Three Gringos by Richard Harding Davis 1896

*''Stories for Boys'' (1891) *''Cinderella and Other Stories'' (1891) *''Gallegher, and Other Stories'' (1891) *''The West from a Car Window'' (1892) *''Van Bibber and Others'' (1892)
''The Rulers of the Mediterranean'' (1893)
*''The Exiles, and Other Stories'' (1894) *''Our English Cousins'' (1894) *''About Paris'' (1895) *'' The Princess Aline'' (1895) *''Three Gringos in Central America and Venezuela'' (1896) *''Soldiers of Fortune'' (1897) *''Cuba in War Time'' (1897) *''Dr. Jameson's Raiders vs. the Johannesburg Reformers'' (1897) *''A Year From a Reporter's Note-Book'' (1898) *''The King's Jackal'' (1898) *''The Cuban & Porto Rican Campaigns'' (1899) *''The Lion and the Unicorn'' (1899) *''With Both Armies'' (1900), on the

*''Ranson's Folly'' (1902) *''Captain Macklin: His Memoirs'' (1902) *''The Bar Sinister'' (1903) *''Real Soldiers of Fortune'' (1906) – an early biography of

Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 Winston Churchill in the Second World War, dur ...

(1874–1965), Major

Frederick Russell Burnham Frederick Russell Burnham DSO (May 11, 1861 – September 1, 1947) was an American scout and world-traveling adventurer. He is known for his service to the British South Africa Company and to the British Army in colonial Africa, and for teach ...

, D.S.O., (1861–1947), Chief of Scouts, General Henry Douglas McIver (1841–1907),

James Harden-Hickey James Harden-Hickey (born James Aloysius Harden, December 8, 1854 – February 9, 1898) was a Franco-American author, newspaper editor, duellist, adventurer and self-proclaimed Prince of Trinidad, reigning as James I. Early life James Aloysius ...

(1854–1898), Captain Philo McGiffen (1860–1897), William Walker (1824–1860) *''The Congo and coasts of Africa'' (1907) *''The Scarlet Car'' (1906) *''Vera, the Medium'' (1908) *''The White Mice'' (1909) *''Once Upon A Time '' (1910) *''Notes of a War Correspondent'' (1910) *''The Nature Faker'' (1910) *''The Red Cross Girl'' (1912) *''The Lost Road and Other Stories'' (1913) *''Peace Manoeuvres; a Play in One Act'' (1914) *''The Boy Scout'' (1914) *''With the Allies'' (1914) * ''With the French in France and Salonika'' (1916) *''The Man Who Could Not Lose'' (1916) *''The Deserter'' (1917)

Filmography

*', directed by

Edwin S. Porter Edwin Stanton Porter (April 21, 1870 – April 30, 1941) was an American film pioneer, most famous as a producer, director, studio manager and cinematographer with the Edison Manufacturing Company and the Famous Players Film Company. Of over ...

(1910, short film, based on the novel ''Ranson's Folly'') *', directed by Ashley Miller (1910, short film, based on the short story ''Her First Appearance'') *', directed by Ashley Miller (1910, short film, based on the novel ''Gallegher'') *''The Winning of Miss Langdon'', directed by

(1910, short film, based on the short story ''A Peace Manoeuvres'') *''The Romance of Hefty Burke'' (1910, short film, based on the short story ''The Romance in the Life of Hefty Burke'') *' (1911, short film, based on the short story ''Miss Civilization'') *' (1911, short film, based on the short story ''My Disreputable Friend Mr. Raegen'') *''How the Hungry Man Was Fed'' (1911, short film, based on the short story ''The Hungry Man Was Fed'') *', directed by Ashley Miller (1911, short film, based on the short story ''Van Bibber's Burglar'') *' (1911, short film, based on the short story ''A Derelict'') *', directed by Ashley Miller (1911, short film, based on the novel ''In the Fog'') *' (1912, short film, based on the novel ''Eleanor Cuyler'') *', directed by William F. Haddock (1914, based on the novel ''Soldiers of Fortune'') *''The Man Who Could Not Lose'', directed by

Carlyle Blackwell Carlyle Blackwell (January 20, 1884 – June 17, 1955) was an American silent film actor, director and producer. Early years Blackwell was born in Troy, Pennsylvania. He studied at Cornell University before J. Stewart Blackton discovered him an ...

(1914, based on the novel ''The Man Who Could Not Lose'') *''The Last Chapter'', directed by

William Desmond Taylor William Desmond Taylor (born William Cunningham Deane-Tanner, 26 April 1872 – 1 February 1922) was an Anglo-Irish-American film director and actor. A popular figure in the growing Hollywood motion picture colony of the 1910s and early 1920s, ...

(1914, based on the short story ''An Unfinished Story'') *''

The Lost House ''The Lost House'' is a lost 1915 American short drama film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Lillian Gish. Cast * Lillian Gish as Dosia Dale * Wallace Reid as Ford * F. A. Turner as Dosia's uncle * Elmer Clifton as Cuthbert * Al ...

'', directed by

Christy Cabanne William Christy Cabanne (April 16, 1888 – October 15, 1950) was an American film director, screenwriter, and silent film actor. Biography Born in 1888, Cabanne (pronounced CAB-a-nay) started his career on stage as an actor and director. He a ...

(1915, short film, based on the short story ''The Lost House'') *''

Captain Macklin ''Captain Macklin'' is a 1915 American short drama film directed by John B. O'Brien. A lost film. Cast * Jack Conway as Capt. Royal Macklin * Lillian Gish as Beatrice * Spottiswoode Aitken as Gen. Laquerre * William Lowery as Heinz (as W.E. L ...

'', directed by

John B. O'Brien John B. "Jack" O'Brien (December 13, 1884 – August 15, 1936) was an American actor and film director of the silent era. He appeared in more than 80 films between 1909 and 1936. He also directed 53 films between 1914 and 1926. Biography O' ...

(1915, based on the novel ''Captain Macklin: His Memoirs'') *'' The Dictator'', directed by Oscar Eagle (1915, based on the play ''The Dictator'') *', directed by (1915, based on the play ''The Galloper'') *'' Ranson's Folly'', directed by

Richard Ridgely Richard Ridgely (1869–1949) was an American actor and film director active during the silent era.Gmür p.22 Selected filmography * '' Ranson's Folly'' (1915) * ''Eugene Aram'' (1915) * ''Olive's Greatest Opportunity'' (1915) * '' The Martyrd ...

(1915, based on the novel ''Ranson's Folly'') *', directed by

Sidney Drew Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Drew were an American comedy team on stage and screen. The team initially consisted of Sidney Drew (August 28, 1863 – April 9, 1919) and his first wife Gladys Rankin (October 8, 1870 – January 9, 1914). After Gladys died in 19 ...

(1915, based on the novel ''Playing Dead'') *', directed by

Frank Beal Frank Beal (September 11, 1862 – December 20, 1934) was an American actor and film director of the silent film era. Biography Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1862, Beal began acting in 1880 and gained fame as a director and an actor. In 1908, ...

(1916, short film, based on the novel ''The Buried Treasure of Cobre'') *''

Somewhere in France ''Somewhere in France'' is a 1916 silent era war espionage drama motion picture starring Louise Glaum and Howard C. Hickman. Directed by Charles Giblyn and produced by Thomas H. Ince, the screenplay was adapted by J. G. Hawks based on the 1915 ...

'', directed by

Charles Giblyn Charles Giblyn (September 6, 1871 – March 14, 1934) was an American film director and actor of the silent era. He directed nearly 100 films between 1912 and 1927. He also appeared in 23 films between 1914 and 1934. He was one of the foun ...

(1916, based on the novel ''Somewhere in France'') *''

Vera, the Medium ''Vera, the Medium'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by G. M. Anderson and starring Kitty Gordon. It was produced by Gordon and Lewis J. Selznick who released through his Select Pictures. The film is considered lost. Cast * Ki ...

'', directed by

Broncho Billy Anderson Gilbert M. "Broncho Billy" Anderson (born Maxwell Henry Aronson; March 21, 1880 – January 20, 1971) was an American actor, writer, film director, and film producer, who was the first star of the Western film genre. He was a founder and star ...

(1917, based on the novel ''Vera, the Medium'') *''The Boy Who Cried Wolf'', directed by

Edward H. Griffith Edward H. Griffith (August 23, 1888 – March 3, 1975)F ...

(1917, based on the short story ''The Boy Who Cried Wolf'') *'' Billy and the Big Stick'', directed by

Edward H. Griffith Edward H. Griffith (August 23, 1888 – March 3, 1975)F ...

(1917, based on the short story ''Billy and the Big Stick'') *''Gallegher'', directed by Ben Turbett (1917, short film, based on the novel ''Gallegher'') *''

The Scarlet Car ''The Scarlet Car'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney, Edith Johnson and Franklyn Farnum. The film was written by William Parker, based upon the novel ''The Scarlet Car'' by Richard Harding ...

'', directed by

Joseph De Grasse Joseph Louis De Grasse (May 4, 1873 – May 25, 1940) was a Canadians, Canadian film director. Born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, he was the elder brother of actor Sam De Grasse. Biography Joseph De Grasse had studied and was a first-class grad ...

(1917, based on the novel ''The Scarlet Car'') *'' The Trap'', directed by

Frank Reicher Frank Reicher (born Franz Reicher; December 2, 1875 – January 19, 1965) was a German-born American actor, director and producer. He is best known for playing Captain Englehorn in the 1933 film ''King Kong''. Early life Reicher was born in Mu ...

(1919, based on the play ''The Trap'') *'' Soldiers of Fortune'', directed by

(1919, based on the novel ''Soldiers of Fortune'') *''The Men of Zanzibar'', directed by Rowland V. Lee (1922, based on the short story ''The Men of Zanzibar'') *''Restless Souls'', directed by Robert Ensminger (1922, based on the novel ''Playing Dead'') *'' The Dictator'', directed by

James Cruze James Cruze (born James Cruze Bosen; March 27, 1884 – August 3, 1942) was a silent film actor and film director. Early years Cruze's middle name came from the battle of Vera Cruz. He was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

(1922, based on the play ''The Dictator'') *''

'', directed by

Stuart Paton Stuart Paton (23 July 1883 – 16 December 1944) was a British film director, director, screenwriter and actor of the silent film, silent era. Paton mostly worked with Universal Pictures, Universal, and is accredited with directing 67 films ...

(1923, based on the novel ''The Scarlet Car'') *'' The Exiles'', directed by Edmund Mortimer (1923, based on the novel ''The Exiles'') *'' Stephen Steps Out'', directed by

Joseph Henabery Joseph Henabery (January 15, 1888 – February 18, 1976) of Omaha, Nebraska, was a film actor, screenplay writer, and director in the United States. He is best known for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in D.W. Griffith's controversial 1915 sile ...

(1923, based on the novel ''The Grand Cross of the Crescent'') *''

Cupid's Fireman ''Cupid's Fireman'' is a 1923 American silent action drama film directed by William A. Wellman and produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation The Fox Film Corporation (also known as Fox Studios) was an American Independent film produc ...

'', directed by

William A. Wellman William Augustus Wellman (February 29, 1896 – December 9, 1975) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and military pilot. He was known for his work in crime, adventure, and action genre films, often focusing on avi ...

(1923, based on the short story ''Andy M'Gee's Chorus Girl'') *24 short films starring

Earle Foxe Earle Foxe (born Earl Aldrich Fox; December 25, 1891 – December 10, 1973) was an American actor. Early years Foxe was born in Oxford, Ohio, to Charles Aldrich Fox, originally of Flint, Michigan, and Eva May Herron. He was educated at Ohio Sta ...

(1924–1927, based on the "Van Bibber" short stories) *''

Honor Among Men ''Honor Among Men'' is a 1924 American silent film directed by Denison Clift and starring Edmund Lowe, Claire Adams and Sheldon Lewis.Solomon p.64 Cast * Edmund Lowe as Prince Kaloney * Claire Adams as Patricia Carson * Sheldon Lewis as King ...

'', directed by

Denison Clift Denison Clift (1885 – 1961) was an American playwright, novelist, screenwriter and film director. He directed in both America and Great Britain, mainly during the Silent Era. Biography Clift was educated at Stanford University. He began his ca ...

(1924, based on the novel ''The King's Jackal'') *''

White Mice "White Mice" is a special edition sketch of the BBC sitcom ''Only Fools and Horses'', first broadcast on 24 December 1985 on BBC Breakfast Time. Synopsis A parody, spoof investigation of Del Boy is conducted by the BBC Breakfast show, ''Breakfa ...

'', directed by

Edward H. Griffith Edward H. Griffith (August 23, 1888 – March 3, 1975)F ...

(1926, based on the novel ''The White Mice'') *'' Ranson's Folly'', directed by

Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...

(1926, based on the novel ''Ranson's Folly'') *'' Almost Human'', directed by

Frank Urson Frank John Urson (March 21, 1887 – August 17, 1928) was an American silent film Film director, director and cinematographer from Chicago, Illinois. Originally a photographer, he moved on to cinematography and film directing for the Thanhouser Co ...

(1927, based on the novel ''The Bar Sinister'') *'' Let 'Er Go Gallegher'', directed by

Elmer Clifton Elmer Clifton (March 14, 1890 – October 15, 1949) was an American writer, director and actor from the early silent days. A collaborator of D.W. Griffith, he appeared in ''The Birth of a Nation'' (1915) and ''Intolerance'' (1916) before giving ...

(1928, based on the novel ''Gallegher'') *''

Driftwood __NOTOC__ Driftwood is wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach of a sea, lake, or river by the action of winds, tides or waves. In some waterfront areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. However, the driftwood provides shelter and fo ...

'', directed by

(1928, based on the short story ''Driftwood'') *''

Fugitives A fugitive (or runaway) is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from jail, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals. A fugitive from justice, also kno ...

'', directed by

William Beaudine William Washington Beaudine (January 15, 1892 – March 18, 1970) was an American film actor and director. He was one of Hollywood's most prolific directors, turning out films in remarkable numbers and in a wide variety of genres. Life and car ...

(1929, based on the novel ''The Exiles'') *'' It's a Dog's Life'', directed by (1955, based on the novel ''The Bar Sinister'') *' (1965–1967,

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...

TV series, 10 episodes, based on the novel ''Gallegher'')

References

External links

* * *
Works by Richard Harding Davis
at Online Books Page
Finding Aid to Richard Harding Davis Miscellaneous Correspondence and Other Documents
1887-1916, Special Collections, Linderman Library,

"Rheims during the Bombardment" from Scribner's Magazine, January 1915
at World War One Gallery * Collected Journalism of Richard Harding Davis a
The Archive of American Journalism

Finding Aid for the Papers of Richard Harding Davis, 1863-1916
Special Collections, University of Virginia Library {{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Richard Harding 1864 births 1916 deaths 19th-century players of American football 19th-century American novelists 20th-century American novelists People of the Spanish–American War People of the Second Boer War American male journalists American travel writers American male novelists Writers from Philadelphia Lehigh University alumni American war correspondents War correspondents of the Russo-Japanese War Episcopal Academy alumni Novelists from Pennsylvania 20th-century American male writers Harper's Weekly editors

Biography

Personal life

Legacy

Partial list of works

Filmography

References

Further reading

External links