Gordon Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gordon J. Davis
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| Parks Commissioner of New York City | |
| In office January 23, 1978 – April 1, 1983 |
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| Appointed by | Ed Koch |
| Preceded by | Joseph P. Davidson |
| Succeeded by | Henry Stern |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gordon Jamison Davis
August 7, 1941 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Peggy Cooper Davis
(m. 1968) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Hyde Park High School Francis Parker School |
| Alma mater | Williams College (BA) Columbia University Harvard University (JD) |
| Occupation | Lawyer, Civic Leader |
Gordon Jamison Davis (born August 7, 1941) is an American lawyer and a leader in his community. He was born in Chicago and has lived in New York City since 1967. He is well-known for his important work in public service and law.
From 1978 to 1983, Gordon Davis was the Parks Commissioner of New York City. Many people consider him one of the most successful parks commissioners in the city's history. He helped bring New York's parks back to life after a tough financial period. Since 2012, Davis has been a partner at the law firm Venable LLP in New York.
Gordon Davis was one of the first African Americans to become a partner in a major New York law firm in 1983. He also helped start many important organizations. These include Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Central Park Conservancy. He is also a trustee for the New York Public Library. In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed him to the board of the Kennedy Center.
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Early Life and Education
Gordon Davis was born in Chicago on August 7, 1941. He grew up on the South Side of the city. His parents were Dr. W. Allison Davis and Elizabeth Stubbs Davis. Both were social anthropologists who studied society and culture.
His father, Dr. W. Allison Davis, became a distinguished professor at the University of Chicago. In 1947, he was the first African American to receive tenure at a major white university in the United States. A U.S. postage stamp was issued in 1994 to honor Dr. Davis's work.
Gordon Davis attended Hyde Park High School and then the Francis Parker School. He then went to Williams College, graduating in 1963. At Williams, he helped start the Williams Civil Rights Committee. The Davis Center at Williams College, which focuses on diversity, is named after his father and uncle.
After studying at Columbia University, Davis attended Harvard Law School. He graduated in 1967. While at Harvard, he helped create the Harvard Law School Black Law Students Association. This was the first group of its kind in the country.
Career in Public Service
Gordon Davis began his public service career in 1967. He worked for New York Mayor John V. Lindsay. He was a special assistant and secretary for the Mayor's Cabinet. In 1973, Mayor Lindsay appointed him to the New York City Planning Commission.
In January 1978, Mayor Ed Koch appointed Davis as the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. As Parks Commissioner until 1983, Davis did a lot to improve New York's parks. He is widely recognized for bringing the parks back to life after the city faced financial difficulties.
Some of his key ideas included creating urban park rangers. He also helped manage parks better by giving more control to local boroughs. He worked to bring back Bryant Park and helped establish the Central Park Conservancy. This group helps restore and maintain Central Park. In 2020, he was recognized as a "Living Landmark" for his contributions to the city.
After his time as Parks Commissioner, Davis continued to serve the city. He was part of Mayor David Dinkins' transition team. Later, he chaired Mayor Michael Bloomberg's criminal justice transition committee.
Law Practice and Civic Work
Since 2012, Gordon Davis has been a partner at the law firm Venable LLP. He first became a partner at a large New York firm, Lord Day & Lord, in 1983. At that time, he was one of only a few African Americans who were partners in a major New York corporate law firm.
Davis has represented many important organizations in New York City. These include the New York Public Library and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He also worked with the American Museum of Natural History and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
He is known as one of New York's most skilled lawyers. He also helped lead efforts to increase opportunities for minority lawyers in New York.
Civic and Cultural Involvement
Gordon Davis is one of the four people who helped create the Central Park Conservancy. This group has completely restored and now maintains Central Park. He also helped found Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) in 1989. He worked with jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and others to start this important cultural institution. As chairman of JALC, he helped it become an independent part of Lincoln Center. He also played a key role in building JALC's home, Frederick P. Rose Hall.
In 2001, Davis served as president of Lincoln Center. In 2016, he was named a Founding Member of the Performing Arts Hall of Fame at Lincoln Center. He is a Life Trustee of the New York Public Library. In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed him to serve as a trustee for the Kennedy Center.
Recognition and Awards
Gordon Davis has received many honors for his work. He has honorary degrees from Williams College and Bard College. He has also received the Williams College Bicentennial Medal. The Central Park Conservancy awarded him the Frederick Law Olmsted Medal. He also received the Medal of the City of New York for Exceptional Service.
He has been honored by many groups, including the New York 100 Black Men. Other honors come from the Harlem School of the Arts and the Dance Theater of Harlem. In 2020, he was named a NYC Living Landmark.
Family Life
Gordon Davis is married to Peggy Cooper Davis. They married in 1968. Peggy Cooper Davis is a former judge and a professor at the New York University Law School. They have one daughter, Elizabeth Cooper Davis, who is a performing artist and educator.
Gordon's brother, Allison Stubbs Davis, lives in Chicago. He is also a lawyer and works in real estate and community planning.
