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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Source: Anthony Crawford, 785-532-7466, arcford@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Donna Ekart, 785-532-7452, dfe@k-state.edu

Monday, Nov. 17, 2008

K-STATE LIBRARIES TO HONOR HISTORIAN, AUTHOR KENNETH S. DAVIS

MANHATTAN -- A noted historian and author with numerous connections to Kansas State University will be honored with a program, including a lecture and exhibit, at the K-State Libraries.

The program will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in Hale Library's Hemisphere Room. It will open with Ralph Titus, professor emeritus of Extension communications, who will present "Kenneth Davis: A Novelist Trapped in History."

Titus, a longtime friend of Davis and well-known contributor to national and local radio broadcasting, will discuss his professional and personal impressions of Davis, his writing and his life.

Titus' presentation will be followed by a reception, sponsored by the Friends of the K-State Libraries, where attendees can view the exhibit "Kenneth S. Davis: Man of Many Titles." All events are free and open to the public.

The program recognizes the contribution of the Kenneth S. Davis Papers and Library by his wife, Jean Davis, to K-State Libraries' Richard L. D. and Marjorie J. Morse department of special collections, and the establishment of the Kenneth S. Davis endowment for special collections.

"The Morse department of special collections is honored to be the repository for the papers and library of Ken Davis through the generosity of the Davis family," said Anthony Crawford, university archivist. "Additionally, the program will allow us to learn about this fascinating man from someone who knew him best."

Born in Salina, Davis became an internationally acclaimed writer. Although he was best known as a historian and biographer, Davis preferred the novel. His authoritative biographies include those of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Adlai Stevenson and Charles Lindbergh, while his novels "In the Forests of the Night" and "Morning in Kansas" remain important works in the genre.

Davis graduated from K-State in 1934 with a degree in agricultural journalism. He served as an assistant to K-State president Milton Eisenhower; and held various teaching positions at K-State throughout his career, including an adjunct professorship in the department of history at the time of his death in 1999.

More information about the program or the Davis papers is available by contacting Crawford at 785-532-7466 or arcford@k-state.edu.