diff --git a/requests/api.py b/requests/api.py
index 5ded386c..0928d8c8 100644
--- a/requests/api.py
+++ b/requests/api.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def request(method, url,
     :param proxies: (optional) Dictionary mapping protocol to the URL of the proxy.
     """
 
-    method = method.upper()
+    method = str(method).upper()
 
     if cookies is None:
         cookies = {}
diff --git a/requests/models.py b/requests/models.py
index 92335181..41214816 100644
--- a/requests/models.py
+++ b/requests/models.py
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ class Response(object):
         #: up here.
         self.history = []
 
-        #: The Request that created the Response.
+        #: The :class:`Request <Request>` that created the Response.
         self.request = None
 
         #: A dictionary of Cookies the server sent back.