Garry Davis

For the Bahamian boxer, see Garry Davis (boxer). For other people, see Gary Davies (disambiguation).

Garry Davis
Photograph of Garry Davis, World Coordinator of the World Service Authority (1921–2013)
Born
Sol Gareth Davis

27 July 1921
Bar Harbor, Maine, U.S.
Died24 July 2013(2013-07-24) (aged 91)
South Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
CitizenshipUnited States (1921–1948)
Stateless (1948–2013)
Alma materCarnegie Mellon University
East West University
Occupation(s)Peace and world citizenship activist
OrganizationsInternational Registry of World Citizens
World Service Authority
Known forPopularizing world citizenship
World Passport
ChildrenKristina Starr Davis
Troy Davis
Athena Davis
Kim Davis

Sol Gareth "Garry" Davis (27 July 1921 – 24 July 2013) was an international peace activist best known for renouncing his American citizenship and interrupting the United Nations in 1948 to advocate for world government as a way to end nationalistic wars.[1]

Davis renounced his citizenship of the United States in May 1948 at the American Embassy in Paris, France, declaring himself instead a citizen of the world.[2]

Davis, a World Federalist, founded the non-profit World Service Authority in 1953 to educate and promote World government. The World Service Authority issues "world government documents", such as the World Passport, a fantasy travel document based on his interpretation of Article 13(2), Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the concept of world citizenship. Previously, Davis had worked as a Broadway stage actor and understudy for Danny Kaye. He served as an American bomber pilot in World War II.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Baratta was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Fox, Margalit (28 July 2013). "Garry Davis, Man of No Nation Who Saw One World of No War, Dies at 91". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Langer, Emily (7 August 2013). "Garry Davis, gadfly and 'first citizen of the world,' dies at 91". The Washington Post.