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 9 Collections and/or Records:

Alumni Association records on deceased alumni

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 636
Scope and Contents

Contains information on deceased alumni gathered by the Alumni Association. It consists primarily of obituaries and student information sheets which contain vital information on the deceased. Birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, dates of attendance at Brigham Young University, and spousal and family information should be recognizable by viewing the obituary and included student information of each deceased alumni.

Dates: 1875-2006

Abel Alexander Dewitt collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2281
Scope and Contents Contains two holograph missionary journals (April 16-November 14, 1903 and November 15, 1903-April 21,1904) kept by DeWitt on his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oklahoma and nearby states. Also included are two holograph journals (July 29, 1897-November 30, 1900 and 1901-1906) and an autograph book (1900-1901) kept by his wife, Ruth Leila Kempe DeWitt. The collection also contains photocopies and transcriptions of the volumes.Also contains a...
Dates: 1897-1914

From the halls of memory

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230305507]
Identifier: MSS SC 798
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of typescript. Author discusses his family's British roots; their acceptance of Mormonism while living in Birmingham, England, and their immigration to the United States. Tolton also describes his experiences during the Black Hawk War (Utah) and frontier life in Utah. His account goes into great detail about his involvement in territorial and state politics, his business ventures, family life, and his mission to Great Britain for the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1931

Aurelia Hurst Gardner papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1886
Scope and Contents

Autobiography, patriarchal blessings, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and notes. The materials relate to Gardner's teaching career in home economics in Utah.

Dates: 1924-1980

Mildred Cluff Harvey papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227625487]
Identifier: MSS 3951
Scope and Contents Contains papers on Mildred Cluff Harvey and her family. Materials date from between 1866 and 1947. Includes the following: 1. The Biography of Mildred Cluff Harvey by her daughter, Lucile H. Ursenbach, 1900-1947. Typed, 17 pages. 2. Newspaper pages about Benjamin Cluff Jr., Mildred's brother, August 1970. 2 leaves. 3. Mildred Cluff autobiography. 1862-1898. Typed, 9 pages. 4. Mildred Cluff autobiography. 1862-1898. Original pencil handwriting, 19 pages. 5. Photocopied articles about the...
Dates: 1866-1947

James H. Jennings historical sketch

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225523692]
Identifier: MSS SC 3149
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a microfilm copy of a typescript. The item is an autobiography of Jennings written in 1935. Jennings was born in Ohio in 1853 and moved to Utah with his parents in 1856. He went to the Dixie Mission in southern Utah in 1862 and settled at Rockville. He gave his observations on schools, lyceum discussions, and the economic situation in the area. He also presented short sketches of leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including: Brigham Young; second...
Dates: 1935

Elisha Jones papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2870
Scope and Contents Includes diary, notebook, and lecture report. Diary begins with ten-page reminiscence, 1858. Sporadic diary entries are dated 1858-1879. Notes, some dating as late as 1885 (after Elisha's death), interspersed throughout volume. Volume also includes two pages of minutes to a high priest's quorum meeting, 23 October 1860, presumably held in Sanpete County; and several pages listing family names. Notebook, without covers, contains financial entries dated about 1872-1880. Last item is a...
Dates: 1858-1880

John C. Swensen papers

 Collection — Carton 1: [Barcode: 31197231013175]
Identifier: MSS 6772
Scope and Contents Contains histories, correspondence and other ephemera that pertains to his personal, professional and church life. Much of the collection refers to Stanford University where he attended. Brigham Young Academy/University is mentioned throughout as he attended school there as well as taught. John C. was very involved in pedagogy which is reflected through these papers. Much of the collection consists of letters from prior students of John C. Swensen. Writings of his autobiography are also...
Dates: 1848-1953

David Henry Weech journal and life story

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230331446]
Identifier: MSS SC 3013
Scope and Contents

Journal entries, 1901-1957, includes iformation on the founding and development of Pima, Arizona. Autobiography details memories of his childhood in Pima; attendance at Brigham Young Academy, 1892-1893; marriage; church service. Also includes information on his first wife, Estella Newell, and his second wife, Hannah May Allen. Also includes information on his parents, children and other family members.

Dates: 1901-1957