Kingsley Davis (1908-1997) was one of the pioneers in social demography, and was particularly identified with the theory of the demographic transition

Kingsley Davis (1908-1997) is the focus of this extensive biography which also includes thirty of his most important writings. Davis was particularly identified with the theory of the demographic transition. This holds that the process of industrialiation first causes mortality to decline, leading to a substantial rate of population growth and only later causes fertility to fall, leading eventually to the cessation of population growth. Kingsley Davis is especially remembered for his arresting and forceful critique of family-planning programs intended to achieve ero population growth.