Research and Teaching Interests: American Cultural History; Material Culture; Public History.

Personal Statement: My main field of interest remains in American Cultural History (broadly interpreted), and my special area has always been the period from about 1876 to 1920. After working in the history of social welfare and family history for some time, I am now completing a book on "Masculine Culture in America." My next project will be a history of American material culture focusing on the Centennial Exposition of 1876. In addition to my courses in American Cultural History I have developed a new course in Material Culture, and I teach in the public history program which concentrates on history outside the classroom as interpreted by museums, historical societies, films, radio, etc.

Representative Publications:
Spearheads for Reform: The Social Settlements and the Progressive Movement (1967; 2nd ed., 1984).

American Heroine: The Life and Legend of Jane Addams (1973).

Co-author, One Hundred Years at Hull House (1990).

Co-author (with Morris Vogel and Fredric Miller), Still Philadelphia: A Photographic History, 1890-1940 (1983).

Co-author (with Morris Vogel and Fredric Miller), Philadelphia Stories: A Photographic History, 1920-1960 (1988).

Notes:
Professor Davis is a recipient of the Friends of Literature Award (1970) and the Christopher Award (1974). He held the John Adams Chair in American History at the University of Amsterdam, 1986-87 and was elected President of the American Studies Association. 1989-90.