William Morris Davis
Scientists

William Morris Davis Net Worth

William Morris Davis was an influential American geographer, geologist, and meteorologist who is widely regarded as the "Father of American Geography". He is best known for his 1889 publication 'The Rivers and Valleys of Pennsylvania', which introduced the 'Davisian system' of landscape analysis. This system proposed that the physical features of the land are the result of long-term erosion and that this sequential change through time is part of a cycle of erosion. After his retirement, Davis continued to write and conduct field studies, publishing more than 500 works on geography during his lifetime. His 1928 publication 'The Coral Reef Problem' was a result of his research into coral reefs and coral islands.
William Morris Davis is a member of Scientists

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Geographer, Geologist, Meteorologist
Birth Day February 12, 1850
Birth Place Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, United States
Age 169 YEARS OLD
Died On February 5, 1934(1934-02-05) (aged 83)\nPasadena, California
Birth Sign Pisces
Known for cycle of erosion; peneplains; often called the "father of American geography"
Awards Hayden Memorial Geological Award (1917) Vega Medal (1920) Penrose Medal (1931)
Fields Geography, Geomorphology, Geology, Meteorology
Influenced Charles Cotton Jovan Cvijić Douglas Wilson Johnson Walther Penck Hans Reusch

💰 Net worth

William Morris Davis, a renowned figure in the fields of geography, geology, and meteorology, is projected to have a net worth ranging from $100,000 to $1 million by the year 2024. Recognized for his significant contributions and expertise in these disciplines, Davis has established himself as a highly respected individual within the academic and scientific communities. Through his ground-breaking research and innovative theories, he has made invaluable contributions to the understanding of earth processes and landscape evolution. As he continues to advance in his career, it is unsurprising that his net worth is estimated to reach impressive heights in the coming years.

Biography/Timeline

1869

He was born into a Quaker family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, son of Edward M. Davis and Maria Mott Davis (a daughter of the women's advocate Lucretia Mott). He graduated from Harvard University in 1869 and received a Master of Engineering in the following year.

1879

Davis initially worked in Córdoba, Argentina as a Meteorologist for three years and after working as an assistant to Nathaniel Shaler, he became an instructor in geology at Harvard, in 1879. The same year he married Ellen B. Warner from Springfield, Massachusetts. While Davis never completed his PhD, he was appointed to his first full professorship in 1890 and remained in academia and teaching throughout his life.

1889

Davis' most influential scientific contribution was the "geographical cycle", first defined in his 1889 article, The Rivers and Valleys of Pennsylvania, which was a model of how rivers erode uplifted land to base level. His cycle of erosion suggests that (larger) rivers have three main stages of development, generally divided into youthful, mature and old-age stages. Each stage has distinct landforms and other properties associated with them, which can occur along the length of a river's upper, middle, and lower course.

1904

He was a founder of the Association of American Geographers in 1904, and heavily involved with the National Geographic Society in its early years, writing a number of articles for the magazine. Davis retired from Harvard in 1911. He served as President of the Geological Society of America in 1911. He was awarded the Patron's Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1919.

1911

Though the cycle of erosion was a crucial early contribution to the development of geomorphology, many of Davis' theories regarding landscape evolution, sometimes termed 'Davisian geomorphology', were heavily criticized by later geomorphologists. When Davis retired from Harvard in 1911, the study of landscape evolution was nearly monopolized by his theories. It was characteristic of Davis to react violently and disdainfully to criticism, particularly to the German criticism in the 1920s headed by Walther Penck; it was also his characteristic to choose to attack the most vulnerable points of that criticism. Since that time, with a less dogmatic approach and greater knowledge, some authors note that Penck's and Davis' ideas have become more compatible and even complementary since the advent of modern tectonic theory. They claim that Davis' ideas are more applicable near active margins where tectonics are "cataclysmic", and Penck's ideas fit better in Models of passive margins and continental platforms.

1914

After his first wife died, Davis married Mary M. Wyman from Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1914, and, after her death, he married Lucy L. Tennant from Milton, Massachusetts in 1928, who survived him.

1984

He died in Pasadena, California, shortly before his 84th birthday. His Cambridge home is a National Historic Landmark.

Some William Morris Davis images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.