Davies, A. Powell (Arthur Powell)

The Rev. Arthur Powell Davies (1902-1957) was born in Birkenhead, England. In 1925, he received his academic and theological degrees from London University, along with the Theology Prize. He also received an honorary doctor of divinity from Meadville Theological School in 1947 and an honorary doctor of humane letters from Howard University in 1955. Davies originally served as a Methodist minister in London, England, and in Portland, Maine. He was ordained as a Unitarian minister in 1933 and began his ministry in Summit, New Jersey, from 1933 to 1944, and continued at All Souls Church in Washington, D.C., from 1944 to 1957. While at All Soul's, he was very critical of Joseph McCarthy and his tactics, although he himself was staunchly opposed to Communism. This led to some controversy when Davies called for the dismissal of AUA magazine editor, Stephen Fritchman, whom he saw as a Communist sympathizer. Davies was also the founder of Americans for Democratic Action, served as the chairperson of the Emergency Conference on Civilian Control of Atomic Energy, and was the president of Food for Freedom. He is the author of numerous books, including American Destiny, Man's Vast Future: A Definition of Democracy, and The Faith of an Unrepentant Liberal, as well as the author of many articles.

From the guide to the Davies, A. Powell (Arthur Powell). Papers, 1931-1959., (Andover-Harvard Theological Library, Harvard Divinity School)