Elmer Davis, a renowned American writer, commentator, and journalist, was born in Aurora, Indiana, in the year 1890. His academic achievements were impressive, as he was awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to Queen's College in Oxford, England, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in 1911. After completing his education, Davis embarked on a teaching career, instructing high school students in Franklin, Indiana, for a year before transitioning to a writing career.
In 1913, he joined the staff of "Adventure" magazine, and subsequently, he secured a position with the esteemed "New York Times". However, Davis left the Times in 1924 to pursue freelance writing opportunities. His writing skills and expertise eventually led to a notable career in broadcasting.
In 1939, Davis was approached by CBS Radio officials to temporarily replace radio commentator H.V. Kaltenborn on his broadcast analyzing the war in Europe. Davis's calm demeanor, extensive knowledge of the subject, and humorous commentary were a breath of fresh air for listeners who had grown tired of the bombastic and excitable behavior of many radio commentators. As a result, Davis quickly gained a massive following, becoming one of the most popular radio broadcasters of his time.
On June 13, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Davis as the head of the newly formed Office of War Information (OWI),which served as the government's central hub for disseminating information, official statements, and propaganda regarding the war.
