John Davies was born in England; he came to Ireland as a boy and was educated at a private school run by the Society of Friends. He was involved in the linen business as manager of a bleach works near Lisburn and later near Banbridge and was a recognised authority on the linen trade. He became interested in botany and had a wide knowledge of Irish flora and was a member of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. He studied mosses and discovered several new varieties. He published papers in the Phytologist and the Irish Naturalist.

Born:	1838
Died:	1909