- Collection:
- New Georgia Encyclopedia
- Title:
- Ossie Davis (1917-2005)
- Creator:
- Devaney, Sheila
- Date of Original:
- 2005-07-21
- Subject:
- African American entertainers
African American civil rights workers - People:
- Davis, Ossie
- Location:
- United States, 39.76, -98.5
- Medium:
- articles
- Type:
- Text
- Description:
- Encyclopedia article about Ossie Davis, a native of south Georgia and one of the most recognized and influential African American performers and activists of the late twentieth century. In addition to his work as an actor, director, producer, screenwriter, and playwright, Davis, along with his wife Ruby Dee, was known for his civil rights activism. The couple, who appeared in numerous productions together, are widely credited with furthering opportunities on stage and screen for subsequent generations of black artists. Davis attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and studied drama with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem. During World War II (1941-1945) Davis enlisted in the army and served in Liberia. After the war he worked on Broadway and in television, acting, directing, writing, and producing. He and his wife were active in the civil rights movement.
The Civil Rights Digital Library received support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the aggregation and enhancement of partner metadata. - Metadata URL:
- https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/ossie-davis-1917-2005/
- Rights Holder:
- If you wish to use content from the NGE site for commercial use, publication, or any purpose other than fair use as defined by law, you must request and receive written permission from the NGE. Such requests may be directed to: Permissions/NGE, University of Georgia Press, 330 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30602.
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: "Ossie Davis (1917-2005)," New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved [date]: http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org.
- Original Collection:
- Forms part of the New Georgia Encyclopedia.
- Contributing Institution:
- New Georgia Encyclopedia (Project)
- Rights: