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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 81 Collections and/or Records:

Benjamin Cluff letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230324672]
Identifier: MSS SC 2538
Scope and Contents

Contains four handwritten and signed letters addressed to a friend only identified as "Bagley." The items were written when Cluff was living in Tabasco, Mexico. Cluff offers sympathy to his friend at the death of his wife and writes about other personal and business matters.

Dates: 1905-1906

Florence Mary Reynolds Cluff papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230339787]
Identifier: MSS 2546
Scope and Contents

Contains two photocopied letters: one written by Florence Mary Reynolds and the other addressed to Benjamin Cluff, Jr. from one of his students. Also included is a brief biographical sketch of Florence Mary Reynolds.

Dates: 1934-1973

Correspondence, 1881-1930

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1421 Series 1
Scope and Contents From the Collection: The Zina Young Williams Card collection is a valuable source of primary materials dealing with the early history of Logan, Utah and Cardston, Alberta, Canada. It also contains some documents related to her life in Provo, Utah and her affiliation with the educational institutions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in that day, particularly the Brigham Young Academy at Provo.The personal correspondence of Zina Young Williams Card covers the period from 1881 to 1930....
Dates: 1881-1930

Lars Eggertsen letter

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231022481]
Identifier: UA 521
Scope and Contents

Copy of a letter from Eggertsen to his brother, Simon, describing the fire that burned the Lewis building, 1884.

Dates: 1884

Emeritus Club records, 1947-1966

 Series — Box 19: Series 12; Series 13; Series 14 [Barcode: 31197231024164], Folder: 6-12
Identifier: UA 541 Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains historical and annual meeting files, including correspondence, proposed constitution, plan of awards of citations, certificates, membership lists, Christmas card, Library Memorial Fund, printed programs, and newspaper clippings.

Dates: 1947-1966

General Church Board of Education correspondence, 1888-1901

 Series
Identifier: UA 1094 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains the correspondence of Karl G. Maeser and other members of the Church Board of Education related to the schools of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Correspondence references difficulties related to funding and staffing a large number of schools. Materials date from 1888 to 1901.

Dates: 1888-1901

Daniel Harrington papers

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231011120]
Identifier: UA 317
Scope and Contents

Includes a published pamphlet which appraises the work of Karl Maeser; a letter to Franklin Harris concerning the Maeser celebration in Provo in 1915; and his personal reminiscences of Provo and the Brigham Young Academy from 1879-1881.

Dates: 1925

Lella M. Hoggan papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012771]
Identifier: UA 383
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of letters from George Brimhall to Lella Hoggan; her expense account and grades for one quarter at Brigham Young Academy; and her life sketch from the Relief Society Magazine.

Dates: 1880-1940

Edward H. Holt papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231036630]
Identifier: UA 250
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence regarding admission to Brigham Young Academy, theology class assignments, petitions, essays, talks by Lorenzo Snow and George Q. Cannon, papers regarding credit, advanced standing, student clubs, and miscellaneous correspondence and reports from Holt's files. Materials date from between 1899 and 1938.

Dates: 1899-1938

Karl G. Maeser personal correspondence, 1861-1900

 Series
Identifier: UA 1094 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to the personal life and projects of Maeser, along with correspondence related to his family. Included are Maeser's correspondence with Brigham Young about the issue of plural marriage and the state of his family. Dates range from 1861 to 1900.

Dates: 1861-1900