Theodore Russell Davis

1840-1894

American (Boston, Massachusetts; Asbury Park, New Jersey)

Theodore Davis was a 19th-century American artist, who made numerous eye-witness drawings of significant military and political events during the American Civil War and its aftermath. With a long, diverse career as an illustrator, Theodore Davis, known as Theo, is said to have "covered more areas of the fighting than any other artist." His work was highly detailed in documenting people and places, and much of it resulted from hurried notes he took during battles. He was wounded twice and had his horse shot out from under him.

In his Civil War reporting, he worked for Harper's, but traveled with William H. Russell, a neutral British journalist, and told people he was an artist for the Illustrated London News. This way, he also served as a spy for the North because he learned much about Southern weaponry. Sometimes he was in the center of the action, especially when he traveled with General Grant's staff at the Vicksburg campaign and was part of General Sherman's March to the Sea.
After the War, he continued reportorial work for Harper's, recording Southern reconstruction and traveling extensively in the Far West.

Artist profile image: Theodore Davis. Chattanooga History Center.

Theodore Russell Davis

Objects

Davis, Theodore Russell 1840-1894

The New York Elevated Railroad – View in Franklin Square

September 7, 1878

Davis, Theodore Russell 1840-1894

The New Fish Market

November 6, 1869

Davis, Theodore Russell 1840-1894

Collecting the Customs–Operations of the Customs Inspectors and Agents at New York

September 5, 1868