William T. Davis
Encyclopedia
William Thompson Davis was an American naturalist
, entomologist, and historian
especially associated with Staten Island
in New York City
. He was prominent in the borough's
affairs throughout his life.
Davis was born in New Brighton
. His family history on Staten Island dates back to the 17th century. He was largely self-taught, but nonetheless made huge contributions to the study of Staten Island’s community and natural history. Davis wrote a number of books about the history and natural geography of Staten Island. His 1892 memoir Days Afield on Staten Island catalogues the island’s plants and animals, while Staten Island and Its People, which he coauthored with Charles W. Leng
(1859-1941) in 1930, is one of the greatest accounts of Staten Island history. He was also an entomologist enjoying an international reputation as an expert on cicadas.
The Staten Island Historical Society's collections include material relating to William T. Davis, including a straw hat that belonged to him.
In the 1930s, Davis and Loring McMillen
led volunteer preservationists from the Staten Island Historical Society
in transforming the former County Clerk's Office and Surrogate's Office at the former county seat of Richmondtown into a museum. That was the beginning of Historic Richmond Town
.
, in 1933 at the urging of Davis. It was maintained by the National Audubon Society
and the New York City Parks Department. Enlarged to 260 acres (1.1 km²) in 1956, it was renamed the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge
in his honor.
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
, entomologist, and historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
especially associated with Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was prominent in the borough's
Borough (New York City)
New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is composed of five boroughs. Each borough now has the same boundaries as the county it is in. County governments were dissolved when the city consolidated in 1898, along with all city, town, and village governments within each county...
affairs throughout his life.
Davis was born in New Brighton
New Brighton, Staten Island
New Brighton, formerly an independent village, is today a neighborhood located on the North Shore of Staten Island in New York City, USA. The neighborhood comprises an older industrial and residential harbor front area along the Kill Van Kull west of St. George.The village of New Brighton was...
. His family history on Staten Island dates back to the 17th century. He was largely self-taught, but nonetheless made huge contributions to the study of Staten Island’s community and natural history. Davis wrote a number of books about the history and natural geography of Staten Island. His 1892 memoir Days Afield on Staten Island catalogues the island’s plants and animals, while Staten Island and Its People, which he coauthored with Charles W. Leng
Charles W. Leng
Charles William Leng was an American naturalist and historian especially associated with Staten Island, New York, where he was the borough historian from 1923 until the 1930s....
(1859-1941) in 1930, is one of the greatest accounts of Staten Island history. He was also an entomologist enjoying an international reputation as an expert on cicadas.
The Staten Island Historical Society's collections include material relating to William T. Davis, including a straw hat that belonged to him.
Civic affairs
In 1881, Davis – along with Nathaniel Britton, Arthur Hollick, Edward Delevan, and Charles W. Leng – founded the Natural Science Association of Staten Island. That organization would later become the still extant Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences.In the 1930s, Davis and Loring McMillen
Loring McMillen
Loring McMillen was Staten Island's official historian who preserved the works of Alice Austen and worked to restore Historic Richmond Town.-Biography:...
led volunteer preservationists from the Staten Island Historical Society
Staten Island Historical Society
The purpose of the Staten Island Historical Society is to create opportunities for the public to explore the diversity of the American experience, especially that of Staten Island and its neighboring communities, from the colonial period to the present day...
in transforming the former County Clerk's Office and Surrogate's Office at the former county seat of Richmondtown into a museum. That was the beginning of Historic Richmond Town
Historic Richmond Town
Historic Richmond Town is a living history village and museum complex in the neighborhood of Richmond, Staten Island, in New York City. It is located near the geographical center of the island, at the junction of Richmond Road and Arthur Kill Road....
.
Wildlife refuge
A bird sanctuary was created in a marshy area of New Springville, Staten IslandNew Springville, Staten Island
New Springville is a neighborhood in Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City, USA.-History:Located near the island's geographical center, the neighborhood was founded in 1680 as Karle's Neck Village...
, in 1933 at the urging of Davis. It was maintained by the National Audubon Society
National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society is an American non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation. Incorporated in 1905, Audubon is one of the oldest of such organizations in the world and uses science, education and grassroots advocacy to advance its conservation mission...
and the New York City Parks Department. Enlarged to 260 acres (1.1 km²) in 1956, it was renamed the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge
William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge
The William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge is an wildlife refuge straddling the New Springville and Travis sections of Staten Island. The park was named in honor of Staten Island native William T. Davis, a renowned naturalist and entomologist who along with the Audubon Society started the refuge with...
in his honor.