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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 8 Collections and/or Records:

Brigham Young Academy history of pedagogy

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232534021]
Identifier: MSS 7852
Scope and Contents

Photograph of students at Brigham Young Academy, dated 1893. The photograph is a modern print of a scanned version of the original.

Dates: 1893

Brigham Young Academy photographs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1078
Scope and Contents

Contains two unidentified photographs of what appear to be students (one of the photographs appears to have been taken in front of the BYA Women's Gymnasium). Photographs appear to be from the early 1900s. The back of the photograph with the scrolls has a sticky note with the following names on it: Lorina White, Georgina Swensen, M. S. Christiansen, Hedvig Johnson, Leonard Walker, and Mor. G. Larsen. It also states that there are 13 Ladies and 14 Men.

Dates: approximately 1900

Brigham Young University grade records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5644
Scope and Contents Contains the grade records of the Brigham Young Academy from 1876 until 1903, and the grade records of Brigham Young University from 1903 to 1931. Student records document the academic progress of each student. The semeser that the student was attending is listed as well as the classes taken during the respective semester. Grade for the classes taken are noted in the ledger.The student's personal information is also included. Materials include gradebooks and index guides to the gradebooks....
Dates: 1876-1931

Brigham Young University student records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 361
Scope and Contents

Contains bound registers listing student names, home towns and academic standings, 1894, 1902-1917.

Dates: 1894-1917

Brigham Young University student registers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 261
Scope and Contents

Includes handwritten registers of names of primary, grammar, sub-freshmen, high school and normal school students, listing faculty references, academic standings and promotions, Church memberships, priesthood offices and domestic Church wards and residences.

Dates: 1896-1913

Belle Harris autograph album

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230343359]
Identifier: MSS 153
Scope and Contents

Handwritten autographs in an 81-page autograph album. These signatures and brief notes of appreciation were given to Harris from other students at the Academy.

Dates: 1886-1887

James E. Talmage student materials, 1876-1893

 Series — Box 24b: Series 2; Series 14; Series 15 [Barcode: 31197227605695], Folder: 16
Identifier: MSS 229 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains Latin coursework, science notes, essays, and examinations from Talmage's time as a student at Brigham Young Academy, Lehigh University, and Johns Hopkins University. Also contains some literature from various schools Talmage did not attend. Dated approximately 1876 to 1893.

Dates: 1876-1893

Rhoda E. Smith theology notebook

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197239115188]
Identifier: MSS 9375
Scope and Contents

Contains a notebook produced by Rhoda E. Smith as a student at Brigham Young Academy with notes from her Theology course under George H. Brimhall. Notes date from 1899.

Dates: 1899