Eugene Arthur Davidson , who served as editor of the Yale University Press for 26 years, died on Jan. 15 in Santa Barbara, California, at age 99.
An often controversial figure on campus, Mr. Davidson helped establish the Yale University Press as a foremost publisher of academic books. He also had a long and successful career as a critic, a poet and a writer on history and international affairs.
Born in New York City, Mr. Davidson received his A.B. degree at Yale in 1927. After a year of postgraduate work at the Yale Graduate School, he joined the staff of the Yale Review. He was named editor of the Yale University Press in 1931 and held that post until 1957.
He became widely recognized during this time for his criticism of poetry, writing for the Saturday Review, the Yale Review and The Progressive. He was also a poet in his own right, whose works appeared in The American Mercury, the Yale Review and other magazines.
A talented linguist, who spoke and read several languages, including Chinese, Mr. Davidson had a keen interest in international affairs and served as director of the Foundation for Foreign Affairs in Washington, D.C. 1957-1970.
During his tenure at the Yale Press, Mr. Davidson was sent abroad to make first-hand observations and establish contact with the creative writers and scholars who worked under cover during World War II. It was after this trip that he began his research and prolific writing about Germany. He was working on his first book when he left Yale to become editor of Modern Age in Chicago, a post he held 1960-1970. That book, "The Death and Life of Germany," was published in 1959. It was followed by "The Trial of the Germans" in 1967.
His other works include "The Nuremberg Fallacy," "The Making of Adolf Hitler," "The Unmaking of Adolf Hitler" and "Reflections on a Disruptive Decade." The University of Missouri Press, which reprinted or published several of Mr. Davidson's books, will publish his work "The Narrow Path of Freedom and Other Essays" this year.
Mr. Davidson's continuing interest in foreign affairs led him to chair the Conference on European Problems over several years, becoming honorary president in 1986.
Mr. Davidson was predeceased by his two wives, the former Louis Keil and the former Suzette Morton Zurcher. He is survived by his son, Ben Davidson; his daughter, Lisa Nelte; two grandchildren; and three stepchildren, Ariel Herrmann, Sterling Hamill and Victor Zurcher.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to the University of Missouri Press, 2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201; or to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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