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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 402 Collections and/or Records:

George Reynolds letter

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231036200]
Identifier: UA 208
Scope and Contents

Correspondence from Reynolds to Abraham Smoot authorizing an order for $1,000 labor and merchandise tithing for the Brigham Young Academy.

Dates: 1884 December 29
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / George Reynolds letter

Eugene L. Roberts letters and diary excerpt

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 901
Scope and Contents

Typewritten copies of four letters and an excerpt from a diary. The letters relate to Roberts' attempt to gather material to write a biography of Benjamin Cluff (1858-1948), president of Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah. The items include an excerpt of Cluff's diary in 1904 and letters written about him in 1890.

Dates: 1890-1947
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Eugene L. Roberts letters and diary excerpt

Scrapbook materials related to Brigham Young University

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 3271
Scope and Contents

Collection consists of newspaper clippings, programs for campus events, and other materials related to Edith Young Booth's lifelong association with Brigham Young University.

Dates: 1891-1965
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Scrapbook materials related to Brigham Young University

Orin Austin Seager Brigham Young Academy notes and photograph

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 3037
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of notes taken for a theology class taught by Joseph B. Keeler beginning in September 1893; and undated notes for a class on social etiquette. Also includes a print, negative, and photocopy, of a group photograph of Academy students, originally taken by A. D. Anderson of Provo, Utah, presumably in 1893. The theology class notes are mostly typewritten and were placed on pages so as to obscure earlier handwritten notes.

Dates: 1890-1893
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Orin Austin Seager Brigham Young Academy notes and photograph

Semi-centennial celebration of the Brigham Young University

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233275095]
Identifier: UA SC 41
Scope and Contents

Includes addresses, prayers, dedication of the Heber J. Grant Library, brief histories of the University and Academy.



Dates: date of production not identified
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Semi-centennial celebration of the Brigham Young University

Frank Warren Smith papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 302
Scope and Contents Diary; correspondence to and from presidents of Brigham Young Academy; other correspondence; family genealogy; newspaper clippings; mementos; programs; articles by Smith on evolution, politics, and religion; financial records; chemistry papers and notes; and miscellaneous items. The materials relate primarily to Smith's work as a chemist and his association with the Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah. The collection also includes several photographs of family and friends as well as of...
Dates: 1889-1908
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Frank Warren Smith papers

George Albert Smith papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 610
Scope and Contents Genealogy sheets, correspondence, a scrapbook, notebooks, photograph album, and memorabilia. The scrapbook was given to Smith by LDS Church leaders on his birthday in 1940 and include birthday cards from these persons. Many of the materials relate to family genealogy and Brigham Young Academy. Some of the materials deal with George Albert Smith (1817-1875), Wilford Woodruff (1807-1898), Elias Smith (1769-1846), Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879), and other prominent Mormons. Also included is...
Dates: 1731-1951
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / George Albert Smith papers

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Rhoda E. Smith theology notebook

A. O. Smoot papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 896
Scope and Contents The A. O. Smoot papers comprise the accumulation of records over the period of fifty-seven years and include journals, diaries, financial records and correspondence dealing with business, personal, church, and Brigham Young Academy matters. The letters are holograph and typewritten, the journals are in both the original handwritten form and xerox copies.The missionary journals were written by A.O. Smoot for the years of 1837 to 1838 and 1844 to 1845 while he was serving in the...
Dates: 1837-1894
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / A. O. Smoot papers

Reed Smoot papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233275707]
Identifier: UA 290
Scope and Contents

Contains a typewritten assembly addresss and a typewritten Founder's Day assembly address.

Dates: 1930; 1932
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Reed Smoot papers

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