Ben G. Davis Letter 8 May 1922

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195
Restrictions:

Collection open for research .

Terms of access:

No physical characteristics affect use of this material.

Preferred citation:

Ben G. Davis Letter, 8 May 1922 (SC 0061), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA..

Summary

Creator:
Ben G. Davis
Abstract:
The collection consists of a one-page letter from Ben G. Davis to Miss Mary D. Carter (n.d.) on 8 May 1922 responding to her request for information about purchasing a copy of the Official Record of the War of the Rebellion. The letter was sent to Carter at "The Maples" in Upperville, Virginia.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Ben G. Davis Letter, 8 May 1922 (SC 0061), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA..

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of a one-page letter from Ben G. Davis to Miss Mary D. Carter (n.d.) on 8 May 1922 responding to her request for information about purchasing a copy of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. The letter was sent to Carter at "The Maples" in Upperville, Virginia.

Biographical / historical:

Ben G. Davis was born around 1866 in Shannon, Illinois. Little information is available about his early life or education. Davis took a position as private secretary to William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) in 1895, the last year Bryan served in the House of Representatives. He also worked with Bryan during the latter's campaigns for president in 1894 and 1896. When Bryan was appointed Secretary of State by President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) in 1913, he chose Davis to be chief clerk of the State Department. Davis held the position until 1924, when he took a posting as disbursing officer for the State Department in Cuba. It is unclear how long he held the position.

Davis and his wife, Annie L. Davis (1866-1958) married in 1887 in Knoxville, Tennessee. They moved to Takoma Park, Maryland in 1895. Davis was an active participant in community affairs, and was appointed town clerk and treasurer in 1906, a position he held for 20 years. He was elected mayor in 1926 and held the office until 1932, when he was defeated after a bitterly contested campaign. Davis died 20 October 1946.

Acquisition information:
Loudoun County Public Library Administrative Office
Processing information:

Processed by Stephanie Adams Hunter, 17 December 2010

Accruals:

1989.0005

Physical / technical requirements:

None