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 228 Collections and/or Records:

College of Biology and Agriculture photographs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 823
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of the deans, faculty, classes, facilities, and groups of the College of Biology and Agriculture as well as its predecessors, the College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences and the College of Applied Sciences. Dated approximately 1885-2005.

Dates: approximately 1885-2005

Commercial College

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233277166]
Identifier: UA 308
Scope and Contents

Summary of business coursework offered by Brigham Young Academy prior to the establishment of the Commercial Department in 1891. Notes prepared in approximately 1970.

Dates: approximately 1970

Amasa Bernard Cox class notes

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231244929]
Identifier: UA 604
Scope and Contents

Includes theology and science notes, and a brief biography written by his son and pasted to the front cover.

Dates: 1881-1882

John William Crook diary and account book

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197233277836]
Identifier: MSS 157
Abstract

Handwritten diary and account book of the Heber Canal Company written by John Crook from 1886 to 1903.

Dates: 1886-1903

Dedicatory exercises of the Brigham Young Academy Building

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233274882]
Identifier: UA SC 33
Scope and Contents

Contains the description of the dedicatory exercises, and includes the farewell speech given by Karl Maeser.

Dates: 1892

Department of Theology quorum records

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231036127]
Identifier: UA 199
Scope and Contents

Handwritten record listing the members of the Priest Quorum within the Department of Theology. Includes genealogical information and notes on member ordinations and quorum meeting minutes. Minutes generally focus on lessons or instruction provided during meetings. Entries date from between 1892 and 1896.

Dates: 1892-1896

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

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

Diary excerpt of the South American scientific expedition of the Brigham Young Academy

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227331375]
Identifier: UA 368
Scope and Contents

Contains a typescript of journal (86 pages) of the Brigham Young Academy South American Expedition and correspondence concerning the Tolton family genealogy.

Dates: 1900-1902

Does the world look gray to you : or, how to get an education

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231011997]
Identifier: UA 345
Scope and Contents

Contains information for entering Brigham Young Academy students.

Dates: Publication: 1895