Douglas Davies
Encyclopedia
Douglas James Davies is Professor in the Study of Religion in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Durham
. He is an authority in the history, theology and sociology of death. His fields of expertise also include anthropology
, the study of religion, the rituals and beliefs surrounding funerary rites and cremation
around the globe, and Mormonism
. His research interests cover identity and belief, and Anglican leadership.
Born in Wales, he read two Bachelor of Arts degrees at St John's College, University of Durham
, before doing his PhD at the University of Nottingham
. He then achieved both Master and Doctor of Letters at Oxford University and has recently been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Theology
from Uppsala University
, Sweden. One book, Reusing Old Graves: A Report on Popular British Attitudes, which he co-wrote with Alastair Shaw won the 1995 Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year
.
His current projects include writings on 'The Encyclopedia of Cremation
', 'The Clergy
and British Society: 1940-2000', 'A Brief History of Death
', 'Inner-speech and prayer
' and 'Ritual purity'.
His list of books include:
A Brief History of Death, 2005
Encyclopedia of Cremation, editor, 2005
An Introduction to Mormonism, 2003
Anthropology and Theology, 2002
Death, Ritual and Belief, 2002, 1997
Modern Christianity: Reviewing its Place in Britain Today, 2000
The Mormon Culture of Salvation, 2000
Private Passions: Betraying Discipleship on the Journey to Jerusalem, 2000
Themes and Issues in Christianity, 1997
Mormon Identities in Transition, editor, 1996
British Crematoria in Public Profile, 1995
Reusing Old Graves: A Report on Popular British Attitudes, 1995
Church and Religion in Rural England, 1991
Frank Byron Jevons: An Evolutionary Realist, 1991
Cremation Today and Tomorrow, 1990
Studies in Pastoral Theology and Social Anthropology, 1990
A Study of the Deployment and Work of the Rural Clergy in Five English Dioceses, 1990
Mormon Spirituality, 1987
Meaning and Salvation in Religious Studies, 1984
He has also published a large number of articles on death, and contemporary Christianity
.
Professor Davies has been involved with various editorial boards and conferences, including the 'Editorial Board of Mortality' and the 'British Sociological; Association Religion Group' (Chairman: 2000-2003). He was also guest speaker at both the Scandinavian Sociological Society Conference in 2004 and the International Cremation Federation Conference in Barcelona, 2003.
Within the University of Durham
he teaches three undergraduate modules: 'Study of Religion', 'Death, Ritual and Belief' and 'Theology and Anthropology'. He also teaches 'Ritual, Symbolism and Belief' to those studying a taught Masters degree in Theology.
He is a member of the Senior Common Room of St Chad's College
Durham.
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
. He is an authority in the history, theology and sociology of death. His fields of expertise also include anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, the study of religion, the rituals and beliefs surrounding funerary rites and cremation
Cremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
around the globe, and Mormonism
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
. His research interests cover identity and belief, and Anglican leadership.
Born in Wales, he read two Bachelor of Arts degrees at St John's College, University of Durham
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
, before doing his PhD at the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
. He then achieved both Master and Doctor of Letters at Oxford University and has recently been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
from Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
, Sweden. One book, Reusing Old Graves: A Report on Popular British Attitudes, which he co-wrote with Alastair Shaw won the 1995 Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year
Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year
The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year, originally known as the Diagram Group Prize for the Oddest Title at the Frankfurt Book Fair, commonly known as the Diagram Prize for short, is a humorous literary award that is given annually to the book with the oddest title...
.
His current projects include writings on 'The Encyclopedia of Cremation
Cremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
', 'The Clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
and British Society: 1940-2000', 'A Brief History of Death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
', 'Inner-speech and prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
' and 'Ritual purity'.
His list of books include:
A Brief History of Death, 2005
Encyclopedia of Cremation, editor, 2005
An Introduction to Mormonism, 2003
Anthropology and Theology, 2002
Death, Ritual and Belief, 2002, 1997
Modern Christianity: Reviewing its Place in Britain Today, 2000
The Mormon Culture of Salvation, 2000
Private Passions: Betraying Discipleship on the Journey to Jerusalem, 2000
Themes and Issues in Christianity, 1997
Mormon Identities in Transition, editor, 1996
British Crematoria in Public Profile, 1995
Reusing Old Graves: A Report on Popular British Attitudes, 1995
Church and Religion in Rural England, 1991
Frank Byron Jevons: An Evolutionary Realist, 1991
Cremation Today and Tomorrow, 1990
Studies in Pastoral Theology and Social Anthropology, 1990
A Study of the Deployment and Work of the Rural Clergy in Five English Dioceses, 1990
Mormon Spirituality, 1987
Meaning and Salvation in Religious Studies, 1984
He has also published a large number of articles on death, and contemporary Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
Professor Davies has been involved with various editorial boards and conferences, including the 'Editorial Board of Mortality' and the 'British Sociological; Association Religion Group' (Chairman: 2000-2003). He was also guest speaker at both the Scandinavian Sociological Society Conference in 2004 and the International Cremation Federation Conference in Barcelona, 2003.
Within the University of Durham
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
he teaches three undergraduate modules: 'Study of Religion', 'Death, Ritual and Belief' and 'Theology and Anthropology'. He also teaches 'Ritual, Symbolism and Belief' to those studying a taught Masters degree in Theology.
He is a member of the Senior Common Room of St Chad's College
St Chad's College
St Chad's College is a college of the University of Durham in England. One of the smallest of Durham's colleges in terms of student numbers , it has the largest staff, the most extensive college library facilities, and consistently the highest academic results in Durham...
Durham.
- Douglas "Scott" Davies (born 1954) American solar technology expert and businessman