William T. Davis

William Thompson Davis (October 12, 1862 – January 22, 1945) was an American naturalist, entomologist, and historian especially associated with Staten Island in New York City.

He was largely self-taught, but nonetheless made huge contributions to the study of Staten Island’s community and natural history.

Davis wrote a number of books about the history and natural geography of Staten Island.

[1] In 1881, Davis and Nathaniel Britton, Arthur Hollick, Edward Delevan, and Charles W. Leng founded the Natural Science Association of Staten Island.

[4] A bird sanctuary was created in a marshy area of New Springville, Staten Island, in 1933 at the urging of Davis.