Dates

• Existence: 1913 - 2006

Biographical History

W. Cleon Skousen (1913-2005) was a political lecturer, author, and police chief of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Willard Cleon Skousen was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada on January 20, 1913, to Margarita Bentley and Royal Pratt Skousen. The family moved to San Bernardino, California, when Cleon was 10. He studied at Juarez Academy in Mexico for 9th and 10th grade while living with his grandmother in Colonia Juarez. Skousen served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the British Isles. He later attended San Bernadino Valley Junior College, where he served as student body president and excelled as a debater and public speaker. He went on to attend George Washington University and received his J.D. degree. Skousen was admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and was also admitted to practice before the Federal District Court of appeals. In 1935, while still attending law school, Skousen entered J. Edgar Hoover's FBI and was subsequently appointed as a Special Agent. Skousen married Jewel Almira Pitcher Skousen on August 13, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had eight children. Skousen served in various parts of the United States during WWII and was appointed to a supervisory administrative position at the FBI headquarters in Washington D.C. Skousen left the FBI in 1951, after 16 years of service, to become the Director of Public Services and member of the faculty at Brigham Young University. In 1956, he was given a leave of absence from BYU to reorganize the Salt Lake City Police Department, where he served as Chief of Police until 1960. In the fall of 1960, Skousen became Field Director for the American Security Council, as well as the Editorial Director of Law and Order, a police magazine. He returned to teach at BYU from 1967 to 1978. Skousen's loyalty to America's founding fathers and the Constitution led to his founding of the Freeman Institute in 1971, which was later renamed the National Center for Constitutional Studies. He served as president of the NCCS until 1988, working on educational courses, speeches, and writings aimed to educate citizens and elect government officials with similar views on the Constitution. Skousen authored many books and spoke prolifically across the United States. Some of his best-selling publications include "The Naked Communist," "So You Want to Raise a Boy?" "The Making of America," and "The Five Thousand Year Leap." He also wrote books on religion, including "The Prophecy and Modern Times,” and "Treasures from the Book of Mormon.” Skousen passed away January 9, 2006, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:

W. Cleon Skousen papers, 1913-2006 (W. Cleon Skousen b. Raymond, Alberta, Canada January 20, 1913; family moved to San Bernardino, California, when Cleon was 10. Studied at Juarez Academy in Mexico for 9th and 10th grade while living with his grandmother in Colonia Juarez. Served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the British Isles. Later attended San Bernadino Valley Junior College, where he served as student body president and excelled as a debater and public speaker. He went on to attend George Washington University and received his J.D. degree. Was admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and was also admitted to practice before the Federal District Court of appeals. In 1935, while still attending law school, entered J. Edgar Hoover's FBI and was subsequently appointed as a Special Agent. Married Jewel Almira Pitcher Skousen August 13, 1936, Salt Lake City, Utah; had eight children. Served in various parts of the United States during WWII and was appointed to a supervisory administrative position at the FBI headquarters in Washington D.C. Left the FBI in 1951 to become the Director of Public Services and member of the faculty at Brigham Young University. In 1956, given a leave of absence from BYU to reorganize the Salt Lake City Police Department, Chief of Police until 1960. In the fall of 1960, became Field Director for the American Security Council, as well as the Editorial Director of Law and Order, a police magazine. Returned to teach at BYU from 1967 to 1978. Loyalty to America's founding fathers and the Constitution led to his founding of the Freeman Institute in 1971, which was later renamed the National Center for Constitutional Studies. Served as president of the NCCS until 1988, working on educational courses, speeches, and writings aimed to educate citizens and elect government officials with similar views on the Constitution. Authored many books and spoke prolifically across the United States. Publications include "The Naked Communist," "So You Want to Raise a Boy?" "The Making of America," and "The Five Thousand Year Leap." Wrote books on religion, including "The Prophecy and Modern Times,” and "Treasures from the Book of Mormon.” d. January 9, 2006, in Salt Lake City, Utah) found: His The story of the Mormon pioneers, 1947. found: Wikipedia WWW site, Sept. 24, 2009 (under Cleon Skousen: Willard Cleon Skousen; b. Jan. 20, 1913, Raymond, Alta.; d. Jan. 9, 2006, Salt Lake City, Utah; American conservative author and political commentator) Family Search, February 9, 2023 (born to Margarita Bentley and Royal Pratt Skousen) Deseret News, via www, February 9, 2023 (16 years in FBI)

Found in 15 Collections and/or Records: