Person

Davis, Kenneth S.

1912-1999

Kenneth S. Davis was a Kansas writer and journalist, whose works appeared in multiple national publications and was an instructor at multiple universities. Davis earned a degree in Agricultural Journalism from Kansas State College in 1934, while also working as editor of “The Mirror” and as a reporter for the Topeka Daily Capital, after which he then earned his Master of Science in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin in 1935. In 1944, Davis began working as a war correspondent for SHAEF in London and Normandy in World War 2, while also writing a biography on General Dwight Eisenhower. This biography appeared in the 1945 July edition of American magazine. From 1945 to 1946, Davis was an instructor of journalism at New York University, followed by part-time work as a professor at Kansas State College in the Department of Industrial Journalism and Printing from 1946 to 1947. While at K-State, Davis was also part-time College Editor and an advisor to President Milton Eisenhower as the chairman of the U.S. national committee to UNESCO, a position he held until 1949. From 1955 to 1956, Davis was a member of the personal staff of Presidential candidate Adlai E. Stevenson as a speechwriter. In 1962, Davis became a member of the Century Club in New York, and in 1963, he received the Centennial Award for Distinguished Service to Kansas State University. In the 1970s, he published several books, including “FDR: The Beckoning of Destiny, 1882-1928” and “Kansas: A History,” while also teaching classes at Clark University and Kansas State University. He was acknowledged with a Certificate of Recognition from the state of Kansas in 1986. Davis continued to teach classes for K-State and Clark University through the 80s and 90s until his death in 1999.

Written in January 2021 by Jarrod Kuckelman.

Creator Source: Local Authority File