Alexander William Davies, otherwise known as 'Jad' was born in Glamorgan, South Wales. He was a self-taught artist who retired to St. Ives, Cornwall, in 1970, only then attending St. Ives School of Painting. Davies had been a teacher of science and mathematics from 1930-35 and a then businessman until his retirement in 1960.
His life-long pastime was drawing the faces of notable personalities which they then would sign. He amassed a vast collection, many of which were reproduced in the national newspapers.
Davies was known for his 'Lightning Sketches' that captured many people that he met, either casually or from a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the business and sporting worlds, most of whom were delighted to autograph their likeness on the spot. He exhibited widely at the RBSA, St. Ives Society of Artists, the Cartoonists' Club of Great Britain and Sutton Coldfield Art Society.