• Date of Birth: December 15, 1942
  • Born City: Columbus
  • Born State/Country: OH
  • Parents: Ray W. D. and wife
  • Date of Death: September 22, 1995
  • Death City: Columbus
  • Death State/Country: OH
  • Married: Mary Clifton, 1967.
  • Education:

    A.N. U. Michigan, 1964; Rackham Fell., 1964; M.A., 1965; Ph.D. 1967.

  • Dissertation:

    “‘Fides’ and the Construction of Propertius’ Book One and Four” (Michigan, 1967).

  • Professional Experience:

    Asst. prof. class. Ohio State, 1967-73; asso. prof. 1973-95.

  • Notes:

    John Davis was 1960 class salutatorian of Circleville High School. He received all of his degrees from the University of Michigan, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While at Michigan he was a drummer/head drummer in the Michigan Marching Band for five years. He began teaching at Ohio State University in 1967 and in a 28-year career taught Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies. During his career at OSU he taught over 20,000 students and created a classical studies learning center which has been used by over 41,000 students. He directed many doc­toral and masters candidates and received several awards and recognitions during his tenure. He was best known for his teaching style and sense of humor. He was featured in the book An Ohio State Profile, A Year in America's Biggest Campus, by Jane Ware. In 1962 he founded “The Davis Demons,” an all-drum corps known for its precision, rudimental, and traditional style of playing. He composed and/or arranged all of the music of the corps, which was still active at his death.

  • Sources:

    APA Newsletter (February 1996) 20; DAS 6th ed. 3:106.

  • Author: Marilyn Clifton Davis