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Arthur Vining Davis

1867-05-30 – 1962-11-17

Portrait of Arthur Vining Davis
Portrait of Arthur Vining Davis (1867-1962), American industrialist and philanthropist best known for his work with the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa). Born in Sharon, Massachusetts, Arthur Vining Davis attended Boston's Roxbury Latin School and graduated from Amherst College in 1888. Following graduation, Davis joined the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, which at the time was experimenting with ways to mass produce aluminum at a low cost. Capitalizing on the work of Charles Martin Hall, the company poured the first commercial aluminum in 1888 and, under Davis' leadership, built a reputation for the manufacture and sale of quality aluminum products. The firm rebranded as the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) in 1907 and Davis became president of Alcoa in 1910. While serving as president and later chairman of the board (1928-1958), Davis transformed Alcoa into an industrial giant and was awarded the Presidential Certificate of Merit in recognition of the firm's work supplying the government with aluminum during World War II.Credit: This file was contributed to Wikimedia Commons by Science History Institute as part of a cooperation project. The donation was facilitated by the Digital Public Library of America, via its partner PA Digital. Record in source catalog DPLA identifier: 88b1db4982721091141031918d492bb5 Science History Institute identifier: padig:SHI-6d56zw63v

Life & Legacy

Arthur Vining Davis (May 30, 1867 – November 17, 1962) was an American industrialist and philanthropist, for many years president, chairman and largest stockholder of the aluminum producer Alcoa.

Occupation & Career

businessperson

Education

Amherst College

Accomplishments, Inventions & Publications

historical personage identified; honorary doctor of the University of Miami

Legacy Highlights

Honors & Awards

historical personage identified · honorary doctor of the University of Miami

Education & Institutions

Amherst College

Verified Legacy Record

Sources & Provenance

  1. Wikidata population candidate Q4800545 — wikidata View source

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