This noted geologist was responsible for one of the major theories to come out of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Davis proposed a cyclicity of river erosion and subsequent uplift of the land that helps to define, at least in relative terms, the age of a river in relation to the surrounding topography.
Davis was the son of a prominent Quaker family and grew up in Central Pennsylvania. His father participated in the American Civil War, and as such was not a prominent figure in his life. Davis was brought up by his mother and grandmother. Life was strict for Davis, but his thirst for knowlegde was never subdued. Davis excelled in his academic pursuits, and taught at Harvard. He helped to found and was a member in many schorlarly, academic and scientific societies. These associations helped him to further his research goals and to maintain his high level of academia.
Davis had many prominent students throughout his tenure at Harvard. He helped to shape the geographic minds of the twentieth century, and was perhaps one of the most popular, if not one of the most difficult professors at Harvard. Submitted by Benson Goodwin