K-State Libraries
His Life, with Pictures
Kenneth Sydney Davis, the son of Charles DeForest and Lydia (Ericson) Davis, was born on 29 Sep 1912 at Salina, KS.
Charles Davis traveled from New York City to Liverpool, England, 1918-1919 aboard the H.M.S. S. Megantic. He waited in Liverpool for travel orders to Paris and Bordeaux, France. He was stationed in Bordeaux, while his wife and children were at home in Salina, Kansas. Charles and Lydia corresponded frequently during his absence, each writing long letters.
Kenneth Davis stands beside his sister Ella Rae Davis.
While overseas serving in WWI, Charles made time to send the children individual postcards.
While overseas serving in WWI, Charles made time to send the children individual postcards.
Davis, second clarinet player, is in the row to the left of the City Band Director. He is wearing glasses. Inset image of Davis in his band uniform.
On 28 May 1927, Kenneth Davis graduated from Manhattan Junior High School. F. V. Bergman, Principal; W. E. Sheffer, Superintendent.
On 23 May 1930, Kenneth S. Davis graduated from Manhattan High School. N. H. Andrews, President; Clara Spilman, Clerk; F. V. Bergman, Principal; W. E. Sheffer, Superintendent.
Kenneth Sydney Davis was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Journalism from Kansas State College on 31 May 1934. F. D. Farrell, President; W. E. Grimes, acting Dean; Jessie McDowell Machir, Registrar.
While at Kansas State College, he served as editor of The Mirror, received the Capper Award for the best journalistic writing of the year in 1934, and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi. He also worked as a reporter for the Daily Capital, Topeka, KS. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa at Kansas State University in 1975.
Kenneth S. Davis was awarded a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, on 24 June 1935. Fred H. Clausen, President of the Regents; Glenn Frank, President of the University.
19 Feb 1937, Davis married Florence Marie Olenhouse. The image shows them in Chicago on their 19th wedding anniversary in 1956. Florence Olenhouse Davis passed away in 1987.
Kenneth S. Davis. In the Forests of the Night (Boston: Houghton Mifflin), 1942.
PS3554 .A93494 I5 1942
"All previous accounts of the lost generation have been subjective; Kenneth Davis is the first author to write of it as history. His tragedy of a generation crippled by two wars is told in violent and contemporary terms but with a deep concern for the protagonist. No reader will fail to be impressed with the significance and power of Davis’s writing; his story speaks for itself as one of the most exciting first novels in recent years."
PS3554 .A93494 I5 1942
"All previous accounts of the lost generation have been subjective; Kenneth Davis is the first author to write of it as history. His tragedy of a generation crippled by two wars is told in violent and contemporary terms but with a deep concern for the protagonist. No reader will fail to be impressed with the significance and power of Davis’s writing; his story speaks for itself as one of the most exciting first novels in recent years."
From Book Jacket
The Eisenhower Years
Throughout his life, Davis held a variety of teaching positions, sharing his knowledge and love of writing freely with his students.
He was a temporary instructor in the Dept of Industrial Journalism and Printing at Kansas State College in 1944. In 1945-1946, he was an Instructor of Journalism at New York University. In 1946-1947, he was a half-time Assistant Professor in the Dept of Industrial Journalism and Print at Kansas State College. He taught The Art of Biography at Clark University in 1976. He was a visiting professor at Kansas State University in 1977, teaching History of Journalism and History Seminar. In 1991, he taught Magazine Article Writing at Clark University. In 1994, he was named an adjunct professor in the Dept of History at Kansas State University.
He was a temporary instructor in the Dept of Industrial Journalism and Printing at Kansas State College in 1944. In 1945-1946, he was an Instructor of Journalism at New York University. In 1946-1947, he was a half-time Assistant Professor in the Dept of Industrial Journalism and Print at Kansas State College. He taught The Art of Biography at Clark University in 1976. He was a visiting professor at Kansas State University in 1977, teaching History of Journalism and History Seminar. In 1991, he taught Magazine Article Writing at Clark University. In 1994, he was named an adjunct professor in the Dept of History at Kansas State University.
The Flint Hills He Loved
Davis was the editor of the Newberry Library Bulletin, Newberry Library, Chicago, 1955-1959.
A Prophet & The Hero
In 1959, Davis moved to Princeton, Massachusetts.
Kenneth S. Davis was awarded a Doctor of Letters from Assumption College, 08 Jun 1968.
Ken shows his wife, Flo, his honorary degree from Assumption College.
Runaway Biography
On 21 Jul 1990, he marred Jean Stafford Dormer. This image is from their 1993 Christmas card.
Davis died of cancer in Madison, Wisconsin on 10 Jun 1999.
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All photographs, unless otherwise stated, are the property of Morse Dept. of Special Collections and may not be used without prior written permission from the Archivist.
University Archives, Richard L. D. & Marjorie J. Morse Dept. of Special Collections, K-State Libraries.
Information presented for research or promotional purposes and may be reproduced without permission provided proper credit is given.
All photographs, unless otherwise stated, are the property of Morse Dept. of Special Collections and may not be used without prior written permission from the Archivist.
University Archives, Richard L. D. & Marjorie J. Morse Dept. of Special Collections, K-State Libraries.
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