Dwight F. Davis

Dwight Filley Davis (July 5 1879 - November 28 1945) was an American tennis player and politician. He is best remebered as the founder of the Davis Cup international tennis competition.

Related Topics:
July 5 - 1879 - November 28 - 1945 - Tennis - Politician - Davis Cup

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Davis was born St. Louis, Missouri. He won the men's singles title at the US Championships in 1989. He then teamed-up with Holcombe Ward won the men's doubles title at the championships for three years in a row from 1899-1901. Davis and Ward wer also men's doubles runners-up at Wimbledon in 1901.

Related Topics:
St. Louis - Missouri - US Championships - 1989 - Holcombe Ward - 1899 - 1901 - Wimbledon

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In 1900, Davis developed the structure for and donated a silver bowl to go to the winner of a new international tennis competition designed by him and three others known as the International Lawn Tennis Challenge, which was later renamed the Davis Cup in his honor. He was a member of the US team that won the first two competitions in 1900 and 1902, and was also the captain of the 1900 team.

Related Topics:
1900 - 1902

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Though educated as a lawyer, Davis was never a practicing attorney. He was, however, politically active in his home town of St. Louis and served as the city's public parks commissioner from 1911 to 1915. During his tenure, he expanded athletic facilities and created the first municipal tennis courts in the United States. He served President Calvin Coolidge as assistant secretary of war (1923-25) and then as secreatry of war (1925-29) and then served as Governor General of the Philippines (1929-32). Davis died in Washington, D.C. in 1945.

Related Topics:
1911 - 1915 - United States - Calvin Coolidge - 1923 - 25 - 29 - Governor General of the Philippines - 32 - Washington, D.C.

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