Douglas Davies

Douglas James Davies, (born 11 February 1947) is a Welsh Anglican theologian, anthropologist, and academic, specialising in the history, theology, and sociology of death. He is Professor in the Study of Religion at the University of Durham. His fields of expertise also include anthropology, the study of religion, the rituals and beliefs surrounding funerary rites and cremation around the globe, Mormonism and Mormon studies. His research interests cover identity and belief, and Anglican leadership. Early life and education Davies was born on 11 February 1947 in Llwynypia, the Rhondda Valley, but was brought up in Bedlinog, Wales. He was educated at Lewis School, Pengam, an old Grammar school in South Wales. He studied anthropology at St John's College, Durham, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1969. He studied for a Master of Letters (MLitt) research degree in Mormonism at St Peter's College, Oxford and the Oxford Institute of Social Anthropology under the supervision of Bryan R. Wilson; he completed the degree in 1972. In 1971, he joined Cranmer Hall, an Anglican theological college attached to St John's College, Durham, to train for ordained ministry. During this time he also studied theology, graduating from Durham with a further BA degree in 1973. Davies continued his studies post-ordination. He undertook research in meaning and salvation at the University of Nottingham, completing his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1980. His doctoral thesis was titled "The notion of meaning and salvation in religious studies". In 2004, he was awarded a Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree by the University of Oxford; this is a higher doctorate awarded for research. Career