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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 23 Collections and/or Records:

Administrative history of the Church Educational System (CES), 1888-1994

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230333111]
Identifier: MSS 2373
Scope and Contents Describes the origins, organization, and history of both religious and secular education within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The purpose of the work was to help archivists place in historical context, corporate papers entering the Church Historical Department (Salt Lake City, Utah). The paper discusses administrative changes and developments in centralized education including: a board of education, a board of examiners, the office of superintendent and later commissioner...
Dates: 1995

Brief history of the Brigham Young Academy to 1908

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012458]
Identifier: UA 416
Scope and Contents

Summary of the establishment and early development of the Academy.

Dates: date of production not identified

DeWitt family histories

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2983
Scope and Contents

Collection includes three family histories from the DeWitt and Kempe families, which include typescripts of correspondence and journals, reproductions of photographs, and other biographical information. The histories themselves describe the lives of Elijah Reeves DeWitt, Abel Alexander DeWitt Sr., Abel Alexander DeWitt Jr., Christopher Jensen Kempe, and Ruth Leila Kempe. Includes information on their experiences in Utah, Illinois, Indiana, and at Brigham Young Academy.

Dates: 2004-2005

History of Brigham Young University

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231022010]
Identifier: UA 483
Scope and Contents

History produced by J. Marinus Jensen, Newbern Butt, Elsie Carroll and Bertha Roberts of the Committee on University History, all appointed by Franklin Harris, 1937. 337 pages.

Dates: Publication: 1942

J. Marinus Jensen collection on Brigham Young University

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197235217475]
Identifier: UA 104
Scope and Contents

Collection includes original manuscripts consisting of Brigham Young Academy student registers, addresses by Karl G. Maeser, life sketches, and histories of departments, clubs and organizations used in the preparation of History of Brigham Young University, compiled and written by J. Marinus Jensen et al. (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University. [1945]).

Dates: 1875-1942

Joseph B. Keeler family papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2016
Scope and Contents

Includes journals, biographical sketches, correspondence, articles, lesson manuals, published and unpublished manuscripts, photographs, and ephemera. The bulk of the material was created by Joseph B. Keeler's descendants, who used his papers as they compiled their published family history, "Build Thee More Stately" (1989). The collection focuses on family history, religion, education, and professional organizations.

Dates: approximately 1840-1990

Oral history interview with Daniel Mandeville Keeler

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 68
Scope and Contents Interview by Bertrand Harrison with Daniel Keeler, coal miner and steel worker, concerning the work of his father, Joseph B. Keeler, at Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young University, 1884-1920. Includes comments on the development of BYU, and particularily the construction of campus buildings, and comments about BYU presidents. Also tells of Keeler's experiences as a student at BYU, his family, and the work of his parents in the Utah Stake with the development of Aaronic Priesthood and...
Dates: 1981

Oral history interview with David Johnson

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 15
Scope and Contents

Includes reminiscences of Brigham Young Academy, written questions and answers about experiences as a student, and correspondence between Johnson and Hollis Scott.

Dates: 1969

Oral history interview with Delenna Rogers Taylor

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 127
Scope and Contents

Interview by Nadine Ashby with Delenna Taylor on her experiences and memories of Brigham Young Academy, its faculty, students, and other persons and events associated with the Academy. Includes transcript and sound recording.

Dates: 1983

Oral history interview with Evelyn Crandall

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 63
Scope and Contents

Interview by Hollis Scott with Eva Maeser Crandall, concerning her father, Karl G. Maeser, her childhood in Provo, her memories of Brigham Young Academy, students and faculty of Brigham Young Academy. Includes transcript and sound recordings.

Dates: 1964