Corneal Davis Collection
Title
Corneal Davis Collection
Subject
Davis, Corneal A., 1900-1995
Illinois.General Assembly. House of Representatives
African Americans
Illinois. Fair Employment Practices Commission
African American politicians
Civil Rights movements
Description
Corneal A. Davis (Democrat) served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1943 through 1978. He represented the First District from 1943-1956, the Twentieth District from 1957-1964, the Twenty-second District from 1967-1978, and as an At-large Representative from 1965-1966. Known as “Deacon” because of his pulpit-style oratory, Davis fought for civil and women’s rights, fair employment practices, and the care and protection of children. Included among his major legislative accomplishments was the passage of legislation creating the Fair Employment Practices Commission in 1961 and a resolution establishing a commission on child care study in 1974. Davis also played an important role in securing funds for the restoration of the Old State Capitol in Springfield. In addition to being chairman of the Public Aid, Health, Welfare and Safety Committee (1961-1962 and 1965-1968, Davis served on a number of other committees including Appropriations, Insurance, Rules and Public Utilities, Railroads, and Aviation. He also served as Assistant Minority Leader from 1971-1974 and Assistant Majority Leader from 1975-1978.
Photographs in this collection include images of Corneal Davis attending events, the signing of legislation related to the Fair Employment Practices Commission, and civil rights protests in Cairo.
Photographs in this collection include images of Corneal Davis attending events, the signing of legislation related to the Fair Employment Practices Commission, and civil rights protests in Cairo.
Audience
Content Warning
Collection Items
Corneal A. Davis
Portrait of Corneal A. Davis, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for District 1 from 1943-1978.
Corneal A. Davis
Portrait of Corneal A. Davis, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for District 1 from 1943-1978.
Corneal A. Davis
Portrait of Corneal A. Davis, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for District 1 from 1943-1978.
Corneal A. Davis and W. Robert Blair II
Corneal A. Davis with Illinois Speaker of the House W. Robert Blair II.
Corneal A. Davis and William A. Redmond
Corneal A. Davis and Illinois Speaker of the House William A. Redmond at a speaker's podium.
African American Politicians
Large group of African American politicians. First row (l-r): Harold Washington, Corneal A. Davis, Cecil A. Partee, Fred J. Smith, James McClendon, unidentified. Second row (l-r) Emil Jones, Jr., Lewis A. H. Caldwell, Raymond Whitney Ewell, Wyvetter…
Corneal A. Davis and William A. Redmond
Corneal A. Davis speaks at a podium with Illinois Speaker of the House William A. Redmond looking on.
Corneal A. Davis, William A. Redmond, and Others Walking Down Aisle
Corneal A. Davis (left) walks with Illinois Speaker of the House William A. Redmond (center) and others down the center aisle with crowds applauding on both sides. Redmond was the Illinois Speaker of the House from 1975-1981.
State Seal of Illinois
The Seal of the State of Illinois features a bald eagle flying in front of a field, water, and sun while holding a shield in its claws. The eagle holds a banner in its mouth with the State Motto, State Sovereignty, National Union. The 1818 date…
Legal Abortions Billboard
A car passes a billboard in McGrann, Pennsylvania advertising legal abortions in New York City.
Illinois State Police Truck
Illinois State Police truck used during civil rights protests in Cairo, Illinois during the late 1960s and 1970s as photographed by the United Front, an organization formed by pro-civil rights groups in the city.
Anti Civil Rights Picket Line
White protestors in Cairo, Illinois carry signs featuring swastikas and anti-African American statements on a picket line protesting African Americans during racial unrest in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Civil Rights Protest, Cairo, Illinois
Illinois State Police observing African American protestors in Cairo, Illinois during race protests in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Policeman Confronting Civil Rights Protestors
A policeman in riot gear confronts civil rights protestors in Cairo, Illinois on a picket line during race protests in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Signing of Fair Employment Practices Commission Investigatory Practices Legislation
Illinois Governor Dan Walker signs Fair Employment Practices Commission legislation enacting investigatory powers in 1975. Front row (l-r): Charles Chew, William H. Robinson, Corneal Davis, Governor Walker, Cecil A. Partee, Harold Washington. Back…
Corneal A. Davis Attending Event
Corneal Davis (second from right) with group of men at a microphone during a special event.
Corneal A. Davis Attending Event
Corneal Davis (far right) standing with two unidentified men at a microphone stand.
Corneal A. Davis Speaking at a Special Event
Corneal Davis speaking at an event while surrounded by several unidentified men.
Corneal A. Davis Speaking at a Special Event
Corneal Davis speaking at an eent while surrounded by several unidentified men.
Collection Tree
- Illinois Photographic Collection
- Corneal Davis Collection