Harwell Goodwin Davis
Encyclopedia
Harwell Goodwin Davis 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 longest serving president.
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. 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. 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.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
State Attorney General
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
, who also served as the President of Howard College, later Samford University
Samford University
Samford University, founded as Howard College is a private, coeducational, Alabama Baptist Convention-affiliated university located in Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It includes the , Cumberland School of Law, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Brock School of Business, Ida V....
, from 1938 until 1958. To date, he has been the university's longest serving president.
Biography
Davis graduated from the University of AlabamaUniversity of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
with a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(LL.B.) in 1903 and practiced in Tallassee
Tallassee, Alabama
Tallassee is a city on the Tallapoosa River, located in both Elmore and Tallapoosa counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census the population was 4,934...
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
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
officer in the 82nd Division. Davis served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, where he was promoted to the rank of Major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
, wounded in action and received a citation for gallantry
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
. After demobilization
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
in 1919, he became Judge Advocate in the Alabama National Guard
Alabama National Guard
The Alabama National Guard comprises both Army and Air components. The Guard is part of the Alabama Military Department, seemingly overseen by the Adjutant General of Alabama....
. 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. During his time as Attorney General, Davis worked to expose and end the state's convict lease
Convict lease
Convict leasing was a system of penal labor practiced in the Southern United States, beginning with the emancipation of slaves at the end of the American Civil War in 1865, peaking around 1880, and ending in the last state, Alabama, in 1928....
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. During the Second World War, Davis introduced a Civilian Pilot Training Program and later, a V-12 Navy College Training Program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
to boost student numbers during wartime.
In honor of Harwell Goodwin Davis' work, Samford University
Samford University
Samford University, founded as Howard College is a private, coeducational, Alabama Baptist Convention-affiliated university located in Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It includes the , Cumberland School of Law, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Brock School of Business, Ida V....
has named the main library on the campus in Homewood in his honor.