Skip to main content

Brigham Young Academy

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1875 - 1903

Administrative History

Brigham Young Academy (1875-1903) was established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of Brigham Young for the instruction of church members in the area of Provo, Utah.

Brigham Young Academy was the predecessor to Brigham Young University and Brigham Young High School. Brigham Young saw the school as a place where all secular learning should be fused with teachings from the scriptures. Despite steady growth during its early years, the Academy was threatened by a series of financial and physical setbacks. With the help and sacrifice of Abraham O. Smoot, the campus moved in 1891 to new facilities on University Avenue in Provo Utah. The Academy's curriculum strengthened and enrollment grew. In 1903, the name was officially changed to Brigham Young University.

Brigham Young Academy principals included Warren N. Dusenberry (1876), Karl G. Maeser (1876-1892), and Benjamin Cluff (1892-1894). Benjamin Cluff also served as Academy president between 1894 and 1903.

Citation:
The Journal of pedagogy, Feb. 1895: t.p. (Brigham Young Academy)

BYU--national champions, 1985: intro. (Brigham Young University)

History of BYU (within Brigham Young University website), via WWW, 4 November 2010 (Brigham Young Academy established October 16, 1875 in Provo, Utah. Name changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. Sponsored by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Provo City Library website, via WWW, Oct. 2, 2012 (Brigham Young Academy; founded in 1876; essentially a high school until 1896, with the founding of the College Dept.)

YFacts History of BYU, via WWW, viewed May 31, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy (1875-1903), Brigham Young saw the school as a place where all secular learning should be fused with teachings from the scriptures, despite steady growth during its early years, the Academy was threatened by a series of financial and physical setbacks, with the help and sacrifice of Abraham O. Smoot, the campus moved in 1891 to new facilities on University Avenue in Provo Utah, the Academy's curriculum strengthened and enrollment grew, 1903 the name was officially changed to Brigham Young University)

Yfacts BYU Presidents, via WWW, viewed Mar. 19, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy principals included Warren N. Dusenberry (1876), Karl G. Maeser (1876-1892), and Benjamin Cluff (1892-1903))

Brigham Young High School History, via WWW, viewed May 31, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy was the predecessor to Brigham Young University and Brigham Young High School)

Found in 33 Collections and/or Records:

Academy Fund Day letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231243905]
Identifier: UA 598
Scope and Contents

Form letter created by George Q. Cannon and Benjamin Cluff announcing "Academy Fund Day," in order to solicit contributions for the Brigham Young Academy.

Dates: 1899

Alumni Association records

 Collection — Box 21
Identifier: UA 541
Scope and Contents

Includes constitution, by-laws, and procedures of the Association. Also includes lists of officers, members, and organizations; also records of fund drives, activities and projects. Also includes receipt books, minutes, correspondence, surveys, news clippings, press releases, and class and club histories.

Dates: 1893-1980

Brigham Young Academy financial and student records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012508]
Identifier: UA 406
Scope and Contents

Contains account records for fund raising for the library, a draft of correspondence used to solicit funds for a new gymnasium, a bank passbook with canceled checks, an account book for the new gymnasium, a financial ledger, and a draft of a school or class song. 5 items.

Dates: 1900-1903

Brigham Young Academy financial records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231036580]
Identifier: UA 248
Scope and Contents

Contains promissory notes and correspondence relating to tuition and financial statements. 14 items.

Dates: 1891-1905

Brigham Young Academy records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012193]
Identifier: UA 341
Scope and Contents This is a collection of unrelated items. Includes a letter from the Utah Teachers' Association (1905), a program for a special theological meeting at the Brigham Young Academy (mostly room assignments) not dated, room and faculty assignments for the Business College (n.d.), a geology examination (n.d.), an announcement for Academy summer school (n.d.), register of monies collected and paid out for Academy expenses (1904), and room and faculty assignments for regular Academy courses...
Dates: 1893-1905

Brigham Young University historical files

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 704
Scope and Contents

Contains manuscripts, biographies, photographs, correspondence, building plans, articles, and filmstrips, all from many different persons and departments on campus.

Dates: 1875-1983

Zina Presendia Young Williams Card papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 1421
Abstract

Correspondence, autobiographical and biographical materials, patriarchal blessings, legal documents, news articles, and miscellaneous items. The materials document the life and career of Card including her affiliation with Brigham Young Academy, the Mormon Church, and various civic organizations. The items also relate to the towns of Cardston, Alberta; Logan, Utah; and Provo, Utah. Also included is correspondence with various Mormon Church leaders and that of her husband, Charles O. Card.

Dates: 1881-1930

Benjamin Cluff Jr. photographs and correspondence

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1013
Scope and Contents

Contains ten photographs and five correspondence of Benjamin Cluff, Jr. Among the photographs is a family picture of the Benjamin and Harriett Cluff family. Correspondence is between Cluff and his son, Cyril, as well as Cluff and the Utah-Mexican Rubber Company.

Dates: 1911-1943

Benjamin Cluff letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230324672]
Identifier: MSS SC 2538
Scope and Contents

Contains four handwritten and signed letters addressed to a friend only identified as "Bagley." The items were written when Cluff was living in Tabasco, Mexico. Cluff offers sympathy to his friend at the death of his wife and writes about other personal and business matters.

Dates: 1905-1906

Florence Mary Reynolds Cluff papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230339787]
Identifier: MSS 2546
Scope and Contents

Contains two photocopied letters: one written by Florence Mary Reynolds and the other addressed to Benjamin Cluff, Jr. from one of his students. Also included is a brief biographical sketch of Florence Mary Reynolds.

Dates: 1934-1973