Russell Howard Davis (October 29, 1897 – November 14, 1976) was an American historian, writer, teacher, and principal in Cleveland, Ohio. [1] He helped create the Central Area Community Council. [2]
He was born October 29, 1897, in Cleveland to Jacob Davis and Rosalie née Dite Davis were his parents, [1] and his brother was Lawyer and Ohio state legislator Harry Edward Davis. [3] His father was a post worker and his mother was French. [4] Davis graduated from Central High School in 1916, Adelbert College in 1920 with a bachelor's degree, received a B.S. degree from the Case School of Applied Sciences in 1922, and received a master's degree in education from Western Reserve University in 1933. [3] He married Claire Richardson in 1923 and they had a son Russell Lee in 1924 who died in 1933. [1]
He started his career as a chemical engineer for Grasseli Chemical Co, before swapping to education teaching maths and science at Kennard Jr. High School. [1] He then moved to Central High School in 1932, going on to obtain his master's degree in education in 1933. [1] He was the principal of the first black junior high school in Cleveland. [5]
In 1965 he retired from education after a career being the principal of three schools. [5]
He wrote a book called Memorable Negroes in Cleveland's Past in 1969, [1] [6] and then in 1972 he wrote a history of the African community in Cleveland called Black Americans in Cleveland from George Peake to Carl B. Stokes, 1796-1969, [5] [7]
A few months before his death he testified in a case accusing the Cleveland school district of racial bias and promoting segregation. [5] He said that although not official policy it had been the practice to place black educators in black schools. [5]
He died November 14, 1976, and is buried at Lake View Cemetery. [1] [4]