Theodore R. Davis

Also known as Theo. Davis Theodore R. Davis (1840–1894) was a 19th-century American artist, who made numerous drawings of significant military and political events during the American Civil War and its aftermath. As a child, Theodore R. Davis was taken to Washington D.C. where he graduated from Rittenhouse Academy. When he was fifteen, he moved to New York where studied art under Henry W. Herrick and James Walker. The Training Theodore Davis received under James Walker was informal. Davis typified certain artists as "special artists" was hired by popular magazines and newspapers. He was hired by them to illustrate the Civil War. He was hired by Harpers Weekly in 1861.[ During the Civil War, he served as a captain in the 15th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. After the war, he became a companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Some of these drawings include the Battle of Champion Hill, and the most significant sketch of General Joseph E. Johnston and General William T. Sherman meeting at the Bennett Farm near Durham Station to discuss the surrender terms of the remaining Confederate armies in the Southeast. After the war when the Cyclorama in Atlanta was being painted, Davis was asked for his ideas having traveled with Sherman's army. He was later added to the painting. Theodore Davis was a staff artist at Harper's Weekly. Many of his drawings were published as wood engravings in Harper's Weekly. Theodore R. Davis was chosen to create the Haye's China with a chance meeting. Mr. Davis suggested using flora and fauna of the American decor. Mr. Davis would come to produce 130 different designs as of animals, plants, and scenic views. At the time the cost for the order came out to $3,150. A guest named Clover Adams (a Washington D.C. Socialite) observed that when she ate at the White House she could hardly eat soup peacefully if she had to watch a coyote leap at her from behind a tree.