Davis received a bachelor of science degree from Harvard University in 1869 and a master of engineering degree in 1870. He went directly thereafter to the national observatory at Córdoba, Argentina, as a meteorologist. After three years he returned to the United States and served on the Northern Pacific survey as an assistant to Raphael Pumpelly. In 1877 he was appointed assistant to Nathaniel S. Shaler, professor of geology at Harvard College. From 1879 to 1885 he was instructor in geology at Harvard and in 1885 was appointed assistant professor of physical geography. In 1890 he became full professor of physical geography and in 1898 was appointed Sturgis Hooper professor of geology, becoming emeritus in 1912. He was a visiting professor at Berlin University in 1908 and at the University of Paris in 1911. 

Американская география и географы: к географической науке