Richard Harding Davis (1864-1916) was an American journalist, novelist, and playwright, renowned as one of the most prominent war correspondents of his time. Born in Philadelphia, he became known for his vivid reporting from conflicts such as the Spanish-American War, the Second Boer War, and World War I. Davis also wrote novels, short stories, and plays, with works like Soldiers of Fortune gaining popular acclaim. His adventurous spirit and romanticized portrayals of heroism made him a cultural icon of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influencing both literature and journalism.