About Edwin Davis
Lived 1846 – 1923 (aged 76). Edwin Davis was an American executioner and inventor.
Edwin F. Davis (May 28, 1846 – May 26, 1923), of Corning, Steuben County, New York, United States, was the first "state electrical engineer” (executioner) for the state of New York. In 1890, Davis finalized many features of the first electric chair used. Davis performed 240 executions between 1890 and 1914,
Davis held a patent on certain features of the electric chair. He received U.S. Patent No. 587,649 for his "Electrocution-Chair" on August 3, 1897.
He died two days before his 77th birthday, and is buried in Barnard Cemetery in Corning, New York.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Edwin Davis's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Edwin Davis?
electrician; inventor; New York State Executioner
When was Edwin Davis born?
Edwin Davis was born on 28 May 1846.
When did Edwin Davis die?
Edwin Davis died on 26 May 1923.
What was Edwin Davis's occupation?
Edwin Davis was an executioner and inventor.
What nationality was Edwin Davis?
Edwin Davis was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Edwin Davis (executioner)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Edwin Davis. https://biography.guide/edwin-davis/
MLA: "Edwin Davis." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/edwin-davis/.
Chicago: "Edwin Davis." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/edwin-davis/.
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