Wilburt C. Davison stimulated and inspired medical students and faculty colleagues for more than half a century. At 80 years of age, he remains a knowledgeable and wise man.
I was fortunate to be a student at Duke when his powerful influence as Professor of Pediatrics and Dean of the School of Medicine was approaching its zenith. I observed his giant figure and warm personality in the setting of his office, the hospital ward and clinic—as well as in his home. In each of these places he used books and journals to teach the principles of good medicine, scholarship, and humanism. He supported libraries everywhere. He loved the library which he created at Duke. Importantly, he used it frequently and taught others to do the same. Gently, he led students to this source of knowledge, and for many the library became the place to browse, study, think, and write, even