The New Student's Reference Work/Davis, Henry Winter

Davis, Henry Winter, American politician, was born at Annapolis, Md., Aug. 16, 1817; and died at Baltimore, Dec. 30, 1865.  He practiced law in Virginia, and in 1854 was elected to Congress, where he served almost continuously till his death and was chairman of the committee on foreign affairs.  He was a Republican in politics, and in 1860 was offered the nomination for the vice-presidency, but refused the honor.  He strenuously advocated the emancipation of the slaves and the extension to them of the rights of suffrage.