Harwell Goodwin Davis

Harwell Goodwin Davis (born near Nicholsville, Alabama 23 November 1882, died in Birmingham, Alabama 5 August 1977) was a lawyer and Alabama State Attorney General, who also served as the President of Howard College, later Samford University, from 1938 until 1958. To date, he has been the university's third-longest serving president.

Harwell Goodwin Davis
Born(1882-11-23)November 23, 1882
Nicholsville, Alabama
DiedAugust 5, 1977(1977-08-05) (aged 94)
NationalityAmerican
EducationLL.B.
Alma materUniversity of Alabama
OccupationLawyer, Attorney General, Collector of Internal Revenue. President of Samford University

Biography

Davis graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1903 and practiced in Tallassee and later, Gadsden. In 1916, he was appointed First Assistant Attorney General of Alabama; he stepped down from the post in 1917 to enlist as an infantry officer in the 82nd Division. Davis served in World War I, where he was promoted to the rank of Major, wounded in action and received a citation for gallantry. After demobilization in 1919, he became Judge Advocate in the Alabama National Guard. In 1921, he was appointed Attorney General to complete the term of James Q. Smith, and re-elected for a further four-year term in 1923.[1] During his time as Attorney General, Davis worked to expose and end the state's convict lease system.

In 1938, Davis became President of Howard College, which would later become Samford University. During his time in office, the college relocated to a new, larger campus, increased enrollment and improved financial stability.[2] During the Second World War, Davis introduced a Civilian Pilot Training Program and later, a V-12 Navy College Training Program to boost student numbers during wartime.

In honor of Harwell Goodwin Davis' work, Samford University has named the main library on the campus in Homewood in his honor.

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References
  1. "Harwell Goodwin Davis". Alabama's Attorneys General. Alabama Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  2. "President Harwell G Davis". History of Samford University. Samford University. Archived from the original on 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
Legal offices
Preceded by
James Q. Smith		 Attorney General of Alabama
1921–1927		 Succeeded by
Charlie C. McCall
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