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 402 Collections and/or Records:

University Communications DVDs

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233627410]
Identifier: UA 5612
Scope and Contents Contains four DVDs produced in 2010 summarizing the history of Brigham Young University. The first video is Journey to Temple Hill: The Brigham Young University Story. It details the story of Karl G. Maesar and the creation of Brigham Young Academy, with input from President Cecil O. Samuelson, Gerald L. Lund, and other prominent members of the BYU community as well as students. The second video, entitled Spirit of the Y, introduces the University's core philsophies and programs. The...
Dates: 2010

Katheryn H. Wahlin papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012755]
Identifier: UA 381
Scope and Contents

Contains an album of autographs by class members, friends and teachers; a graduation certificate from the BYU Normal department; two photographs of Kate Wahlin; and a brief autobiographical description by the donor, 1880-1883.

Dates: 1880-1883

Annie Swensen Walker diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197230364645]
Identifier: MSS 1656
Scope and Contents

Eleven handwritten diaries. Walker writes about her experiences living in Lindon, Pleasant Grove, and Salt Lake City, Utah. She also relates her experiences while attending Brigham Young Academy and her various church-related activities. Many entries are lengthy and detailed. There are many gaps.

Dates: 1877-1919

Walter M. Wolfe articles, 1887-1905

 Series
Identifier: UA 366 Series 2
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a scrapbook of clippings, articles about himself, letters containing background information, articles about the South American expedition, articles Wolfe wrote about life and education and his activities at BYA, etc. Primarily copies of poems and articles written by Wolfe on all sorts of archeological and educational subjects, organized into folders by magazine (Forest and Stream, Juvenile Instructor, The Normal, Journal of Pedagogy, Millennial Star, Improvement Era, etc.), then...
Dates: 1887-1905

Walter M. Wolfe biographical information, 1892-approximately 1983

 Series
Identifier: UA 366 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Assorted items prepared by Shirley Wolfe (biographical sketch, diary information, list of written and published works, etc.), published and unpublished references to Wolfe, Juvenile Instructor articles about the Expedition, list of references to correspondence found in Wolfe's diaries, and Wolfe family information from the Provo City Cemetery (his wife, Caroline; their daughter Sarah, etc.)

Dates: 1892-approximately 1983

Walter M. Wolfe journals and other papers, 1900-1901

 Series
Identifier: UA 366 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Originals and typescripts of Wolfe's personal journals, August 1900-August 1901; Guatemalan passport and letter authorizing "archaeological explorations," receipt, and letter of request for translation of said items.

Dates: 1900-1901

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

Walter M. Wolfe collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 366
Scope and Contents Includes detailed journals, 1900-1901; copies of numerous articles by him, 1887-1905; and biographical information. Journals were recorded during the Brigham Young Academy South American Expedition. Collection includes transcriptions of the journals. Wolfe's articles appeared in Forest and Stream, Juvenile Instructor, Young Woman's Journal, Millennial Star, and in periodicals published by Brigham Young Academy and others. Articles relate to wildlife recreation (especially in Nebraska and...
Dates: approximately 1887-1983

Walter M. Wolfe diary and congressional testimony

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8374
Scope and Contents

Collection contains transcriptions pertaining to the life of Walter M. Wolfe. Material includes a transcription of his diary about life in Mexico as a missionary and explorer dated 1900 to 1901. It also includes copies of the congressional transcript of Wolfe's testimony from the Reed Smoot United States Senate hearing in 1906. Dated 1900-1906.

Dates: 1900-1906

Mary Hale Woolsey papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2294
Abstract

Contains manuscripts, typescripts, correspondence (business and personal), scrapbooks, published and unpublished music, personal writings and literary works (poems, short stories, etc.) created and collected during Woolsey's career as a writer of adult and children's literature and as a composer of popular music.

Dates: 1910-1969