Elizabeth Gould Davis (June 23, 1910 – July 30, 1974) was an American librarian who wrote a feminist book called The First Sex.

[3] Davis had originally intended The First Sex to be "a short essay on wrongs towards women" inspired by the death of her sister in 1968.

[4] As she researched, she learned more about historical periods when women were in charge, and about subsequent anti-women prejudices.

[5] Prof. Ginette Castro criticized Davis' position as grounded "in the purest female chauvinism.

According to feminist author Andrea Dworkin, Davis' suicide was largely impacted by the rape she underwent a few years prior in 1971, as well as the cancer she suffered from.