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Heslop, J. Malan, 1923-2011

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1923 - 2011
  • Usage: 1923 - 2011

Biography

J Malan Heslop (1923-2011) was an American photojournalist, newspaper editor, and missionary from Utah. J Malan Heslop was born June 18, 1923, in Taylor, Weber County, Utah, to Jesse and Zella Malan Heslop. His birth certificate confirms that his name is J without the period. As Heslop would say, "It's a name and not an initial." When he was three years old the family moved to a farm in West Weber, Utah, where he grew up as the oldest of three children. Heslop's love of photography was inspired and encouraged by his father, Jesse, who acquired a glass plate camera around 1906. By the time Heslop was born, Jesse had the popular Kodak roll film folding camera. Heslop describes photography as an "abiding factor" in his life. In 1939 he began attending Weber High School, where one of his favorite school activities was taking photos for the yearbook. He graduated from high school on May 17, 1941, and enrolled at Weber College in Ogden, Utah, in the fall of 1941. He decided to study photography at Los Angeles City College and registered in September 1942. In October 1942 he enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps and by early November he was studying at Paramount Studios as a part of the Signal Corps Photographers School. By April 1943 he was called to active duty. Before departing for Europe, Heslop married Fae Stokes on May 1, 1944, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His photographs provide a moving and memorable visual witness to the final nine months of the war's European Theater, from September 1944 to the end of the war in May 1945. Upon his return he reunited with his wife, Fae, and enrolled at Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University). He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture in the spring of 1948 and almost immediately he was hired by the Deseret News as a photographer. During his busy professional years, J and Fae Heslop also raised a family of five children—Paul, daughter Lyn, Scott, Ann, and Don—and became the grandparents of nineteen. J Malan Heslop was foremost a photojournalist, with a career which spanned forty-five years. He was a photographer in World War II for the 167 Army Signal Photographic Company in the European Theater, and spent forty years with the Deseret News newspaper. During his distinguished forty-year career, he served twenty years as the chief photographer, eight years as Church News editor, and ten years as managing editor of the Deseret News, with three years as a mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heslop covered local, national, and international events while at the Deseret News, from the inauguration of Utah's governors to those of presidents of the United States. Professional honors included being ranked by Life magazine as sixth among 1720 entrants for its young photographers contest in 1951. In 1972 the Deseret News rewarded Heslop its first-ever "Outstanding Performance Award." Upon retirement in 1988 J and Fae continued to travel, spend time with family, and be involved in their church. J took photographs wherever he went. Fae passed away in Salt Lake City on November 29, 2009. J Malan Heslop died on July 29, 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:
UPB files, 27 August 2014 (was born June 18, 1923, in Taylor, Weber County, Utah, to Jesse and Zella Malan Heslop; birth certificate confirms that his name is J without the period; As Heslop would say, "It's a name and not an initial"; When he was three years old the family moved to a farm in West Weber, Utah, where he grew up as the oldest of three children; Heslop's love of photography was inspired and encouraged by his father, Jesse, who acquired a glass plate camera around 1906; By the time Heslop was born, Jesse had the popular Kodak roll film folding camera; Heslop describes photography as an "abiding factor" in his life; In 1939 he began attending Weber High School, where one of his favorite school activities was taking photos for the yearbook; graduated from high school on May 17, 1941, and enrolled at Weber College in Ogden, Utah, in the fall of 1941; decided to study photography at Los Angeles City College and registered in September 1942; October 1942 he enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps and by early November he was studying at Paramount Studios as a part of the Signal Corps Photographers School; By April 1943 he was called to active duty; Before departing for Europe, Heslop married Fae Stokes on May 1, 1944, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; His photographs provide a moving and memorable visual witness to the final nine months of the war's European Theater, from September 1944 to the end of the war in May 1945; Upon his return he reunited with his wife, Fae, and enrolled at Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University); He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture in the spring of 1948 and almost immediately he was hired by the Deseret News as a photographer; During his busy professional years, J and Fae Heslop also raised a family of five children—Paul, daughter Lyn, Scott, Ann, and Don—and became the grandparents of nineteen; J Malan Heslop was foremost a photojournalist, with a career which spanned forty-five years; He was a photographer in World War II for the 167 Army Signal Photographic Company in the European Theater, and spent forty years with the Deseret News newspaper; During his distinguished forty-year career, he served twenty years as the chief photographer, eight years as Church News editor, and ten years as managing editor of the Deseret News, with three years as a mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; covered local, national, and international events while at the Deseret News, from the inauguration of Utah's governors to those of presidents of the United States; Professional honors included being ranked by Life magazine as sixth among 1720 entrants for its young photographers contest in 1951; In 1972 the Deseret News rewarded Heslop its first-ever "Outstanding Performance Award"; Upon retirement in 1988 J and Fae continued to travel, spend time with family, and be involved in their church; J took photographs wherever he went; Fae passed away in Salt Lake City on November 29, 2009; J Malan Heslop died on July 29, 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah).

Found in 18 Collections and/or Records:

J Malan Heslop photographs and other material

 Collection
Identifier: MSS P 661
Scope and Contents Collection primarily includes the photographic work of J. Malan Heslop, which comprises 60,601 photographs. This includes work from his early years in Weber County, Utah, through his educational years at Weber College, Ogden, Utah, and his short-lived stay in Los Angeles at Los Angeles City College, prior to becoming a private in the army as a photographer with the 167th Signal Photographic Company in World War II. He photographically documented not only these early years but also his...
Dates: 1858-2009

J Malan Heslop additional materials, 1858-2009

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 15
Scope and Contents From the Collection: Collection primarily includes the photographic work of J. Malan Heslop, which comprises 60,601 photographs. This includes work from his early years in Weber County, Utah, through his educational years at Weber College, Ogden, Utah, and his short-lived stay in Los Angeles at Los Angeles City College, prior to becoming a private in the army as a photographer with the 167th Signal Photographic Company in World War II. He photographically documented not only these early years but also his...
Dates: 1858-2009

J Malan Heslop advertising photographs, 1948-1989

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 5 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Includes 2,158 photographs of advertising photography, primarily produced for Zions Bank by Evans Advertising. Includes images of animals, art, and other subjects. Materials dated 1948-1989.

Dates: 1948-1989

J Malan Heslop early photographic work, 1939-1948

 Series
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 2
Scope and Contents Includes 2,403 photographs and 25 slides from before Heslop's Army experience, 1939-1943, and immediately after his release from the army in 1946, and the beginning of his photojournalism career in 1948. Briefly and sporadically documented are his years at Weber High School and Weber College in Ogden, Utah, and a short stay in Los Angeles while attending Los Angeles City College and majoring in photography. Utah State Agricultural College is extensively photographed, and there are many...
Dates: 1939-1948

J Malan Heslop manuscripts of indexes and timelines, 1944-2004

 Sub-Series — Box 74: Series 9 [Barcode: 31197232515061]
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 9 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Includes 47 photographic indexes created by J Malan Heslop, which were used extensively to describe his photographs. Materials dated 1944-2004.

Dates: 1944-2004

J Malan Heslop photographs from Cache Valley, Utah, 1939-1948

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 2 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Includes 320 photographs taken while J Malan Heslop was attending Utah State Agricultural College. There are photographs of people, agriculture, city streets, national parks, and the Logan Temple. Dated 1939-1948.

Dates: 1939-1948

J Malan Heslop photographs from Utah State Agricultural College, 1939-1948

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 2 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Includes 473 photographs J Malan Heslop took after the war at Utah State Agricultural College. The photographs include portraits of students, student social activities, athletics, and some agriculture. Dated 1939-1948.

Dates: 1939-1948

J Malan Heslop photographs in Utah, 1988-2002

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 7 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Includes 4,795 photographs J Malan Heslop's trips in Utah made during retirement, the Capitol Hill Kiwanis Club, and the Ensign Peak Project. Materials dated 1988-2002.

Dates: 1988-2002

J Malan Heslop photographs of agricultural subjects, 1939-1948

 Sub-Series — Box 9: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197232514254], Folder: 8
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 2 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Includes 28 photographs of agriculture in Utah and the Western United States after the war while Heslop attended Utah State Agricultural College. Dated 1939-1948.

Dates: 1939-1948

J Malan Heslop photographs of American Fork Training School, 1957

 Sub-Series — Box 47: Series 5 [Barcode: 31197232512837], Folder: 1-4
Identifier: MSS P 661 Series 5 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Includes 222 photographs of the American Fork Training School in 1957. The photographs document daily life in the school. Materials dated 1957.

Dates: 1957