John C. Davis *40

John C. Davis, a retired teacher and administrator who helped update and expand the curriculum at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., died of a heart ailment Aug. 20, 2009. He was 93.

Davis came to St. Albans in 1942 after graduating from Union College in 1937 and earning a master’s degree in Romance languages from Princeton in 1940. Starting as a Romance-languages teacher, he also taught history and Episcopal Church doctrine. Into the 1950s, the dominant focus on the United States and Europe in history courses had continued, but Davis recognized the need also to study Russia, China, and Africa. Nonetheless, at a liberal school he was known for his political conservatism.

Even as he moved into administrative work, Davis maintained a full teaching schedule. He had been director of admission, and headed the upper school (grades 9 to 12) from 1967 to 1981. He retired soon thereafter and published collections of short stories, essays, and even a novel.  

He left no immediate survivors.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.