of professor of philosophy and theology in the colleges of his order. During the next two years he was obliged to conceal himself from the terrorists, he embarked for this country in 1792, and studied English during the voyage. Bishop Carroll sent him to superintend some missions in the lower part of Maryland. He was the first American priest to institute spiritual retreats for the benefit of the laity. In 1804 he was recalled and appointed professor in Georgetown college, where he remained two years. In 180(5, in compliance with the desire of the Sulpitians of Baltimore, he accepted a professorship in the theological seminary and college of St. Mary's. Though his health was impaired by his labors, he offered his services to Bishop Flaget, and accompanied him to the west in 1810. He established the theological seminary of St. Thomas in Bardstown, Ky., and discharged the office of president, as well as attending several congregations in other parts of the state. Father David also introduced the Sisters of Charity into Kentucky, founded a convent of the order, and was appointed their spiritual director by Bishop Flaget. He was nominated bishop of Philadelphia, but declined the honor. Yet when Bishop Flaget petitioned the pope, in 1817, to appoint him coadjutor of the diocese of Bardstown, he reluctantly accepted the place. In 1823 he obtained a charter from the legislature of Kentucky, raising the college he had founded to the rank of a university. Bishop David published a large number of works, chiefly controversial or religious, and translations from "the French. The principal are "Vindication of the Catholic Doctrine concerning the Use and Veneration of Images," "Address to his Brethren of other Professions," "On the Rule of Faith," "True Piety, or the Day Well Spent," and a Catholic hymn-book.
DAVIDGE, William Pleater, actor, b. near
Ludgate Hill, London, England, 17 April, 1814;
d. in Cheyenne, W. T., 7 Aug., 1888. He joined an
amateur dramatic society, and appeared first at
Drury Lane theatre, in the part of James in “The
Miller's Maid.” He appeared at Nottingham in
1836, and acted in London, on 26 Sept. of that year,
in the “Haunted Tower.” After acting in Great
Britain, he settled in Manchester, and in 1850 came
to the United States, where he made his first
appearance in the old Broadway theatre, New York,
as the blacksmith in “Used Up.” He supported
the popular stars of the day — Edwin Forrest,
Gustavus V. Brooke, Julia Dean, Lola Montez, and
others — and, after leaving the old Broadway theatre
in 1855, made a tour through the country. He was
a member of F. B. Conway's “star combination,”
and in 1863 was one of Mrs. John Wood's company
at the Olympic theatre, where he remained two
seasons. He afterward took part in the
Shakespearean revivals at Winter Garden theatre, and,
in August, 1867, appeared as Eccles, in “Caste,” at
the new Broadway theatre near Broome street.
He was at Daly's Fifth avenue theatre from 1869
till 1877, then travelled with Miss Fanny Davenport's
company, and in 1879 was the original Dick
Deadeye, in “Pinafore,” at the Standard theatre.
In 1885 he became a member of the Madison
square theatre company. Mr. Davidge played
over one thousand parts during his career, and
played them all with zeal, intelligence, and humor.
Among his best parts, besides those already
mentioned, were Bishopriggs in “Man and Wife,” Old
Hardy in the “Belle's Stratagem,” Hardcastle in
“She Stoops to Conquer,” and Croaker in “The
Good-Natured Man.” In Shakespeare's comedies
he was successful as Caliban, Touchstone,
Dogberry, Nick Bottom, and Old Gobbo. — His son, William, comedian, b. in Manchester, England,
11 March, 1847, made his first appearance in the
French theatre, New York, in the burlesque of
“The Lady of the Lions.”
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DAVIDSON, George, astronomer, b. in Nottingham, England, 9 May, 1825. He came to the United States in 1832, and was graduated at the Central high-school in Philadelphia in 1845, standing first in his class. While a student he had shown interest in scientific work, and had assisted Alexander D. Bache in his observations of the magnetic elements at Girard college. On his graduation he became the secretary of Prof. Bache, who had been appointed superintendent of the coast-survey. In 1846-'50 he was occupied in geodetic field-work, and in astronomy, serving in the different eastern states. In 1850 he went to California under the auspices of the coast-survey, and was for several years engaged in the determination of the latitude and longitude of prominent capes, bays, etc., and of the magnetic elements of the Pacific coast, reporting also upon the proper locations for lighthouses. His work included a survey of Washington and Puget sounds, and he had charge of the main triangulation of the coast in the region of San Francisco. From 1861 till 1867 he was on the Atlantic seaboard, principally engaged in engineering work on coast and river defences. At one time he was in command of the coast-survey steamer “Vixen,” and later performed astronomical work along the eastern coast. In 1866 he became chief engineer of an expedition for the survey of a ship-canal across the isthmus of Darien, and, in 1867, was appointed to make a special examination and report upon the geography and resources of Alaska, pending its purchase; and his published report and conferences with congressional committees influenced the passage of the bill. He was placed in charge, during 1867, of the work of the coast-survey on the Pacific, planned work for the land parties from 1868 till 1875, and inspected all the fields of work. From 1876 till 1886 he had charge of the main triangulation and astronomical work on the western coast; and the records of the computing division show that the results of his observations stand higher than any ever executed in America, Europe, or India, and they have been characterized as “unique in the history of geodesy.” In 1881 he measured the Yolo base line, the longest yet attempted in trigonometrical operations, and the system of triangulation directly connected therewith is called in his honor the “Davidson quadrilaterals.” He founded the Davidson observatory in San Francisco, which was the first astronomical observatory on the Pacific coast of North America, and in 1869 brought the Pacific geodetic of the coast survey in telegraphic longitude connection with Greenwich. His astronomical work includes the observation of the total solar eclipse under the 60th parallel, in 1869; determination of the 120th
