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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:

Monroe J. and Shirley Brockbank Paxman collection on Academy Square, 1989-2004

 Series — Box 25: Series 3; Series 13 [Barcode: 31197239116871], Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 7011 Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains clippings, correspondence, notes, minutes, and other documents related to the Paxman's involvement in the Brigham Young Academy Foundation and the process of turning Academy Square buildings into the Provo Library site. Dated 1989 to 2004.

Dates: 1989-2004
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 7011, Monroe J. and Shirley Brockbank Paxman papers

Office of the President correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: UA 1093
Scope and Contents Contains the correspondence files of President Cluff, with the exception of his first year of administration. The papers date from between 1893 and 1904, and are incoming except for 1897 to 1900. Also includes Cluff's correspondence as president of the People's Canal & Irrigation Company. Includes information on Cluff's administration of the Academy, and the school's relationship to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Board of Education. Also includes correspondence regarding...
Dates: 1893-1904
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President correspondence

Office of the President correspondence, 1903-1904

 Series
Identifier: UA 1093 Series 21
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence between Cluff and students, parents, Church leaders, and others related to the administration of the Academy. Includes information on the Beaver Branch. Materials date from between 1903 and 1904.

Dates: 1903-1904
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1093, Office of the President correspondence

Ann Pitchforth collection

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197223103133]
Identifier: MSS 1374
Scope and Contents Collection includes correspondence of Samuel Jackson (born 1764) of Providence Green, Yorkshire, England; of his brothers, Richard and James; and of his son, Samuel (born circa 1803). Also includes letters by Ann Pitchforth, sister-in-law of the latter Samuel Jackson, and by others, mostly members of the Jackson family. The correspondence relates primarily to family and business concerns. Several of the Richard Jackson letters were written from Staten Island, New York, between 1810 and...
Dates: 1793-1930
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Ann Pitchforth collection

Principal's Office correspondence, 1878-1889

 Series
Identifier: UA 1094 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to Maeser's term as principal of Brigham Young Academy. Materials focus on the financial difficulties of the Academy and the need for more teachers. Also addressed are discipline and ecclesiastical matters. Dates range from 1878 to 1889.

Dates: 1878-1889
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1094, Karl G. Maeser correspondence

Principal's Office records, 1893-1894

 Series
Identifier: UA 1093 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence between Cluff and students, teachers, and others related to Brigham Young Academy. Includes information on courses offerings and the administration of the Academy. Materials date from between 1893 and 1894.

Dates: 1893-1894
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1093, Office of the President correspondence

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

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

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

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