• Name: Davis,
• Gender: Male
• Birth Date:
• Death Date:

This person remains unidentified. None of the contemporary Davises in the DNB seem probable. Perhaps the most promising identification was that of David Davis (1745- 1827), dissenting minister and poet, who sympathized with the Revolution and was friends with Price. However, he seems to have lived almost entirely in Wales, and the Davis in the diary moves in London radical circles throughout the 1790s. Moreover, on 20 January 1803 Godwin notes meeting 'Davis, welch unitarian'; which seems to be David Davis, and strongly suggests that the other entries are not to him.

Davis appears 109 times between 1790-1800 (out of 136 total refs, a few of which have different initials etc), featuring prominently in G's calls and frequently in conjunction with Nicholson, Robinson, King, Holcroft etc. Fore example, on 30 November 1791 'Holcroft at tea: un peu de demele sur Davis.' This is Godwin's second reference to Davis, having met him at a dinner at Holcroft's on 2.5.1790. There are many Davis's involved in printing and publishing and we have no clear way of narrowing that field.

4.1.1793 'Call on Davis, best book that ever was published' - this entry at least seems likely to refer to the printer of Political Justice. On 7 September 1792, Godwin had entered, 'Call on Robinson & Davis. (state 1 Dec.)', which is probably an agreement with Robinson to deliver the final manuscript of Political Justice by 1 December 1792. Also, since the book was not published until 14 February 1792, Davis must have had prior acces to the manuscript or proofs.

In the 1796 list Godwin states that he meets Davis in 1795 despite there being a number of meetings dating from 1790. This suggests that there are two Davises, one of whom may be the printer of Political Justice, the other whom he meets in 1795. If this is the case, no attempt is made to distinguish them.

Potentially useful post-1800 refs include:
30.12.1807 'Davis, from sir F B, calls:'
8.1.1808 'Write to Davis.'
11.1.1808 'Letter from Davis'
13.1.1808 'Davis calls, sign:'

No letters relating to Davis have been identified. It is curious that in the 1796 list Godwin states that he meets Davis in 1795 despite there being a number of meetings dating from 1790. This suggests that there are two Davises, one of whom may be the printer of Political Justice, the other whom he meets in 1795. It is uncertain as to whether 'Davis from Virginia' refers to a Davis from Virginia or the same Davis who is after travelling from Virginia - he has been included.

We have not included M L Davis (1809), as Godwin's note in the same year identifies this person as Matthew L Davis, New York merchant. Also in 1809, we have not included Davis, attorney. In 1810 the diary includes both Dr and Mr Davis on one occasion, and there are five entries to J Davis. These also remain uncoded. as does a Hart Davis in 1832 and a Dr Davis in 1834.

• DNB

This table lists the people this person is most frequently noted with in the diary.