July 23, 1900: Author Julia Davis Born in Clarksburg

On July 23, 1900, author Julia Davis was born in Clarksburg, the daughter of distinguished lawyer and statesman John W. Davis. She began her literary career writing books for young readers.

Her first, The Swords of the Vikings, was followed by a biography of “Stonewall” Jackson and a narrative of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Davis also found success with adult fiction, historical and biographical writings, and drama—more than two dozen books in all—including the Shenandoah volume for the landmark Rivers of America series.

Davis took care of numerous stepchildren and other children who needed homes. She was also active with charitable organizations in New York. Her 1942 book The Sun Climbs Slow is based on her experiences with two Spanish children who came to stay with her following upheavals during the Spanish Civil War. After the death of her husband in 1986, Julia Davis lived and wrote in Jefferson County, near Media Farm, the scene of the happy childhood summers described in her book Legacy of Love.

Julia Davis died in Charles Town in 1993 at age 92.