The collection consists of scrapbooks of indexes to articles in periodicals, articles, and manuscripts (in 44 volumes) related to the life and career of Winfield J. Davis, California politician and writer.

Winfield J. Davis (1851-1909) was born in Oneida County, New York, and came with his family to California in 1862. The family moved from their farm in Placer County to the city of Sacramento in 1869. There, Davis studied to become a shorthand reporter and wrote for newspapers including the Sacramento Bee, Daily Union, and the Daily Record; he also learned the printing and publishing trade. In 1879 he was admitted to the California bar. Davis was also active in California political affairs, elected to the state legislature (on the Republican ticket) where he served from 1884 to 1890. In 1891 he was elected a member (and later became president) of the Board of Education of Sacramento. He wrote extensively on historical and political subjects related to California, and he is perhaps best known as the author of "History of political conventions in California, 1849-1892." Davis held many offices, was historian of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers, and was well known in the public life of Sacramento.

8 Linear Feet (44 volumes)

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.