Davis, Katherine K. 06/25/1892 - 04/20/1980

Katherine Kennicott Davis was born on June 25, 1892, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and passed away on April 20, 1980, in Littleton, Massachusetts. She was an American composer, pianist, arranger, and music educator.
Davis composed over 600 works—choral pieces, cantatas, children’s operas, songs, organ and piano music, as well as arrangements of traditional songs.

Why she is remembered today:
“The Little Drummer Boy” remains a staple of popular Christmas repertoire. The song has been reinterpreted countless times, including as a duet by Bing Crosby & David Bowie (1977) and as a beloved Rankin-Bass TV special (1968).