Davis, John King

Variant names

Hide Profile

Author, sailor, navigator, Antarctic explorer. John King Davis was born at Kew, London, in 1884. He took part in seven voyages to the Antarctic, served with the Australian Navy in World War I and became Commonwealth Director of Navigation, 1920-49. His publications include works about sailing, the Antarctic, the voyages and his autobiography.

From the description of Papers [manuscript]. 1962-1965. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 222950167

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition was an Australian scientific team that explored part of Antarctica between 1911 and 1914. It was led by the Australian geologist Douglas Mawson, who was knighted for his achievements in leading the expedition. In 1910 he began to plan an expedition to chart the 2000-mile long coastline of Antarctica to the south of Australia. The Aurora departed for Macquarie Island on December 2, 1911, arriving on December 11 after surviving stormy weather during the crossing. A second vessel, the Toroa, followed with supplies and passengers. Departing Macquarie Island on December 23, the Aurora began exploring the coastal areas, during which they discovered and named King George V Land and Queen Mary Land.

From the description of Carte générale bathymétrique des océans. Feuille B'iii [cartographic material]. : [showing the track of the S. Y. Aurora, navigated by Capt. John King Davis] [1913?] (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 754683855

John King Davis was born at Kew, Surrey, England in 1884. He went to sea in 1900 and was appointed Chief Officer of S.Y. Nimrod in 1907, navigating Ernest Shackleton's British Antarctic Expedition of 1907-1909. He was second in command and Master of S.Y. Aurora for Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914, commanded the Ross Sea Relief Expedition, 1916-1917, and the Discovery for Mawson's British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition, 1929-1930. From 1920-1949 he was Commonwealth Director of Navigation. In retirement he was involved with the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions. He published several books about his experiences. He never married and died in Melbourne in 1967.

From the description of Papers [manuscript]. 1840-1967. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 222755492

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn David Orme Masson collection, 1911-1922 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Walter Henry Hannam collection, 1911-1913 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn John Robert Francis Wild collection, 1873-1939 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn James Francis [Frank] Hurley collection, 1912-1917 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn John King Davis collection, 1905-1951 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Stanley Beal collection, 1907 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Ernest Joyce collection, 1907-1930 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Robert Mennell collection, 1907-1910 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Eric Norman Webb collection, 1912-1965 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn James Marr collection, 1922-1940 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Walter Atack collection, 1913 Scott Polar Research Institute
creatorOf Davis, John King, 1884-1967. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Charles T Harrisson collection, 1911-1913 Scott Polar Research Institute
creatorOf Harrisson, Charles T. (Charles Turnbull), 1866-1914. Map showing part of the S. Y. Aurora's first Antarctic voyage [cartographic material] / Chas. Harrison under directions of Captain Davis. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Davis, John King, 1884-1967. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Harrison, Charles T. (Charles Turnbull). High iced capped land [cartographic material] / Chas. Harrison by directions of Captain Davis. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Henry Howard collection, 1922 Scott Polar Research Institute
referencedIn Douglas Mawson collection, 1903-1948 Scott Polar Research Institute
creatorOf Davis, John King. Carte générale bathymétrique des océans. Feuille B'iii [cartographic material]. : [showing the track of the S. Y. Aurora, navigated by Capt. John King Davis] Libraries Australia
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aurora (Ship) corporateBody
associatedWith Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914) corporateBody
associatedWith Beal, Stanley person
associatedWith British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909. corporateBody
associatedWith British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition 1929-1931. corporateBody
associatedWith David Orme Masson person
associatedWith Eric Norman Webb person
associatedWith Ernest Edward Mills Joyce person
associatedWith Harrison, Charles T. (Charles Turnbull) person
associatedWith Harrisson, Charles T. (Charles Turnbull), 1866-1914. person
associatedWith Howard, Henry person
associatedWith James Francis Frank Hurley person
associatedWith James William Slesser Marr person
associatedWith John King Davis person
associatedWith John Robert Francis Frank Wild person
associatedWith Mawson, Douglas person
associatedWith Mennell, Robert person
associatedWith Ross Sea Relief Expedition 1916-1917. corporateBody
associatedWith Walter Garwood Atack person
associatedWith Walter Henry Hannam person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Antarctica
Antarctica
Antarctica
Subject
Explorers
Sailors
Scientific expeditions
Occupation
Authors
Explorers
Sailors
Activity

Person

Birth 1884-02-19

Death 1967-05-08

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w66d6jms

Ark ID: w66d6jms

SNAC ID: 70476639