Harry J. Davenport was born in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania. He worked as a newspaper publisher. He was an unsuccessful candidate for nomination in 1946, but was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-first Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1950 against Republican Harmar D. Denny, Jr. and 1960. He worked as a lecturer and book salesman, and resided in Millvale, Pennsylvania, until his death. He died on December 19, 1977.