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Henry Winter Davis papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0286

Abstract

This collection contains the manuscript autobiography of Henry Winter Davis (1817-1865), covering his early life at Annapolis, Kenyon College, and University of Virginia. Also included is a letter from Abraham Lincoln, March 18, 1863, "not for publication", stressing importance of agreement among those U. S. Representatives supporting the Union, with regard to election of House Speaker.

Dates

  • 1817 - 1863

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.

Biographical / Historical

DAVIS, Henry Winter, (cousin of David Davis), a Representative from Maryland; born in Annapolis, Md., August 16, 1817; was tutored privately; lived in Alexandria, Va. and Wilmington; returned to Maryland in 1827 with his father, who settled in Anne Arundel County; attended Wilmington College in 1826 and 1827; St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., and Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia; was graduated from Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in 1837; studied law at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Alexandria, Va.; in 1850 moved to Baltimore, Md., where he continued the practice of law and also engaged in literary pursuits; elected as an American to the Thirty-fourth through Thirty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1855-March 3, 1861); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1860 to the Thirty-seventh Congress; elected as an Unconditional Unionist to the Thirty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1863-March 3, 1865); chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs (Thirty-eighth Congress); co-sponsor of the Wade-Davis bill of 1864; was not a candidate for renomination in 1864; died in Baltimore, Md., on December 30, 1865; interment in Greenmount Cemetery.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Charles Morris Howard. Accession # 58543.

Bibliography

"Davis, Henry Winter." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/D000104.
Title
Guide to the Henry Winter Davis papers
Status
Minimally Processed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2026-01-15: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Mallory Harwerth.

Repository Details

Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository

Contact:
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750