Daniel Webster Davis (1862-1913)

D. Webster Davis, author, clergyman, and educator, was born into slavery in Caroline or Hanover County. He attended public school in Richmond after the Civil War and, beginning in 1879, taught in the city school system for 33 years. In 1887 Davis helped found the Virginia Teachers' Reading Circle, the state’s first organization for African American educators. His book Idle Moments, Containing Emancipation and Other Poems (1895) reflected the challenges of his generation. He also wrote a book about African American history, was pastor of Second Baptist Church of Manchester, and traveled widely as a lecturer. Webster Davis Elementary School was formerly located near here at 4410 Northampton St.