Charles Edward Davis

Charles Edward Davis (29 August 1827 – 10 May 1902) was an English architect and antiquary.

Life

Born near Bath, Somerset, in 1827, he was son of Edward Davis, an architect there and pupil of Sir John Soane, and his wife Dorothy Walker, widow of Captain Johnston of the Madras cavalry. He began as his father's pupil, and in 1863, having recently won a competition for the cemetery buildings on the lower Bristol Road, was appointed city architect and surveyor to the corporation of Bath. He held these posts for forty years.

To collect information on the nature and management of spas, Davis in 1885 made a tour of major European watering places. He applied his knowledge to improvements at Bath, and was consulted by English corporations with natural baths, including Harrogate and Droitwich. Difficulties with the corporation regarding his official duties led in 1900 to the transfer to another person of the supervision of the corporate property; the baths and the provision markets were left in Davis's charge.

Davis was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1850. He died at his residence, Bathwick Hill in 1902. The rank of major by which Davis was generally addressed arose from his commission in the Worcestershire militia; he was also a member of the Bath volunteer rifles.

Family

Davis married in 1858 Selina Anne, eldest daughter of Captain Howarth, who survived him without issue.