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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 20 Collections and/or Records:

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

Francis W. Kirkham diaries

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 772
Scope and Contents Handwritten diaries. Kirkham describes his early life before starting his diaries in 1893. In the first volume, Kirkham writes about his education. The volumes numbered 2 through 13 were kept when he was serving on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand. These items contain accounts of his daily activities and extensive comments on the customs of the Maori people of New Zealand. The fourteenth volume tells about the completion of Kirkham's schooling and...
Dates: 1893-1902

Parley Pratt Nelson diaries

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2261
Scope and Contents

Collection contains photocopies of two diaries of Parley Pratt Nelson, a student who participated on the Benjamin Cluff Brigham Young Academy Expedition (1899-1900) and served a mission in Southern California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1901-1903).

Dates: 1900-1903

Julia Maria Jesperson Okelberry papers

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233637369]
Identifier: MSS 6034
Scope and Contents

Julia Maria Jesperson Okelberry papers include: Journals, 1881-1917; Photographs, ca. 1885-1941; and Family History and Genealogy, 1953-2005. The collection documents Okelberry's life in Goshen, Utah, as well as her student days at the Brigham Young Academy. Additional materials include family histories and genalogies compiled and prepared by Merrill J. Nelson, grandson of Julia Maria Jesperson Okelberry.

Dates: 1881-2005

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

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

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

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 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

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