Davidson, Shelby J. (Shelby Jeames), 1868-

African American lawyer and inventor, of Washington, D.C.

From the description of Shelby J. Davidson papers, 1893-1918. (Moorland-Spingarn Resource Center). WorldCat record id: 740086025

• 1868: Born to Shelby J. and Amelia Scott Davidson in Lexington, Kentucky, May 10.
• 1893: Received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University. Began a clerkship with the United States government in Washington, D. C.
• 1894: Married Leonora Coates of Massponax, Va., Feb. 1.
• 1899: Admitted to the bar in Kentucky.
• 1900: Admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia.
• 1906: Commissioned by the United States Treasury Department to study the mechanics of adding machines.
• 1911: Invented a "Rewind device", for the adding machine.
• 1912: Admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court. Resigned from government service.
• 1916 - 17 : President of the General Alumni Association of Howard University. Executive Secretary of the District of Columbia N.A.A.C.P.
• 1930: Died in Washington, D. C. December 7.

From the guide to the Shelby Jeames Davidson Papers, 1893-1918, (Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University)