Davis Family Endows the Watson, Helen, Audrey, & Miles Davis Prize, Honors Books in the History of Science Aimed at a General Audience

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NOTRE DAME, Ind. - December 14, 2021 - (Newswire.com)

The Davis Prize, established in 1985, has recognized key contributions from authors dedicated to bringing the history of science to the general public. Long supported by the Davis family and originally named after Watson Davis (the long-time director of the Science Service) and chemist Helen Davis, the prize has been generously endowed by the Davis family and renamed the Watson, Helen, Audrey, and Miles Davis Prize. 

The Davis family has strong roots in the public understanding of science. Watson Davis is known as the founder of the American Documentation Institute (which later became the Association for Information Science and Technology), and for his work as the Director of the Science Service (1933-1966), where he pushed for a broad appeal and understanding of science, and for starting the Science Talent Search. Helen was a noted chemist and the editor of Chemistry published by the American Chemical Society, and a science communicator. Miles (Watson's son) was a Professor of Biostatistics turned career mathematical statistician who was a stalwart in the Social Security Administration and worked tirelessly to create a deeper understanding of demographics and underserved populations. Audrey was the pioneer medical historian who spent 26 years at the Smithsonian, becoming the first woman curator and creating programs and exhibits to further the reach of medical history through material culture. She served as HSS Secretary and editor of the HSS Newsletter. 

"This generous gift allows HSS to continue its mission in recognizing scholarship that travels beyond the ivory tower," said Jan Golinski, HSS President. "It is important that the general public is engaged in understanding the history of scientific endeavors, and the Davis family has made sure we can do that for generations to come."

The Davis family: Watson - the showman, Helen - the introvert, Miles - the rock, Audrey - the trailblazer, this family, together, brought their personalities and dedication to science with the key aim to provide a better understanding of science to the public through science communication. The United States has a broader and better understanding of science from the family's enduring pledge to educate.

"It is meaningful to our family, especially my dad, Miles," said Laura Davis Beilstein. "It makes me very happy that the Davis Prize will be endowed and will last into the future as a kind of living memorial to Watson, Helen, Audrey, and Miles."

For further information, please contact John Paul Gutierrez at [email protected]. 

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About The History of Science Society: The History of Science Society, established in 1924, is the world's largest society devoted to the study of the history of science. Over 3,000 individual and institutional members across the world support The Society's mission to foster interest in the history of science, promote discussion of science's social and cultural relations, and bring this understanding to others worldwide. 

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Original Source: Davis Family Endows the Watson, Helen, Audrey, & Miles Davis Prize, Honors Books in the History of Science Aimed at a General Audience