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Maeser, Karl G.

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1828 - 1901

Biographical History

Karl G. Maeser (1828-1901) was a well-renowned educator and principal in Utah, particularly respected for his integral role in establishing the theme and focus of Brigham Young Academy.

Maeser was born in Saxony, Germany in January 1828. Maeser went to school in Germany and gained training in teaching. He worked as a teacher and private tutor in and around Germany. Karl G. Maeser married Anna Mieth in 1854. Maeser was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1855. He left Germany in 1856 for the United States and arrived in Utah in 1860.

Karl G. Maeser was the second principal of Brigham Young Academy and served from 1876 until 1892. Under Maeser, Brigham Young Academy established itself as one of the leading schools in Utah territory. Maeser placed the development of character above the development of intellect. In matters of morals and religious conduct, he saw things as black and white. He devised for Brigham Young Academy an intricate system of rules, regulations, and academic routine all designed to form habits of proper conduct.

In 1888 Maeser was made the first General Superintendent of Church Schools as part of the General Board of Education of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maeser Published a book entitled "School and Fireside" in 1898 which reflected his views on education. He died in February 1901.

Citation:
Cundick, R. The brothers, c1986: t.p. (a musical play in one act based on the life of Karl G. Maeser)

Sunday school work, 1892: t.p. (Karl G. Maeser)

Online Utah, via WWW, July 14, 2004 (Karl Gottfried Maeser; the first principal of Brigham Young Univ. [i.e. Brigham Young Academy] and general superintendent of the LDS Church school system; b. 16 Jan. 1828 in Saxony, Germany; d. 15 Feb. 1901)

OCLC, March 19, 2004 (hdg.: Maeser, Karl Gottfried, 1828-1901; usage: Karl G. Maeser)

Wikipedia, via WWW, Sept. 30, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser; Karl Gottfried Maeser; b. Jan. 16, 1828 in Meissen, Germany; d. Feb. 15, 1901 in Salt Lake City, Utah; Utah educator; member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; m. 1854 to Anna Mieth; served as missionary in England, Scotland, Penn., Switzerland, Calif.; m. 1875 to Emilie Damke)

Utah History Encyclopedia, via WWW, viewed Mar. 20, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser, b. Jan 1928 Saxony Germany, d. Feb 1901, schooling in Germany, taught and tutored in Germany, m. Anna Mieth 1854, baptized LDS 1855, left Germany 1856, arrived in Utah 1860, second principal of BYA 1876-1892, 1888 General Superintendent of Church Schools-General Board of Education of the LDS church, School and Fireside 1898)

Office of the President, viewed Mar. 20, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser, BYA leading schools in Utah territory, development of character over intellect, moral and religious conduct viewed as black and white, devised system of rules regulations and routine for proper conduct at BYA)

Found in 92 Collections and/or Records:

Newspaper clippings, 1899-1919, 1976 April 2

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1421 Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains full newspaper sheets, mainly from newspapers in Utah and Canada. Dated from 1899 to 1919 and April 2, 1976.

Dates: 1899-1919; 1976 April 2

Office of the President records on Karl G. Maeser, 1952-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 35
Scope and Contents

Correspondence about a book written by Alma P. Burton about Karl G. Maeser. Also included are lists describing some of the work done by Maeser. The letters discuss the distribution of the books as well as the editing. Dated 1952 to 1955.

Dates: 1952-1955

Oral history interview with Beatrice Maeser Mitchell

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 38
Scope and Contents

Interview by Hollis Scott with Beatrice M. Mitchell, regarding her grandfather Karl G. Maeser, her father Reinhard Maeser, and herself. Includes transcript and sound recording.

Dates: 1980

Oral history interview with Evelyn Crandall

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 64
Scope and Contents

Collection of four separate monologues by Eva Maeser Crandall discussing her father and her mother, Anna Mieth, the Academy and school life, and her poem, "Karl G. Maeser." Includes transcripts of the original recordings.

Dates: 1961-1964

Oral history interview with Evelyn Crandall

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 63
Scope and Contents

Interview by Hollis Scott with Eva Maeser Crandall, concerning her father, Karl G. Maeser, her childhood in Provo, her memories of Brigham Young Academy, students and faculty of Brigham Young Academy. Includes transcript and sound recordings.

Dates: 1964

Oral history interview with Sarah Fletcher Jones

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233265377]
Identifier: UA OH 3
Scope and Contents

Interview by Hollis Scott with Sarah F. Jones, concerning her experiences at the Brigham Young Academy in the 1880s and as a resident of Provo, Utah. Includes transcript and sound recording.

Dates: 1965

Norman Woodbury Osborn photograph collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 3834
Scope and Contents

This collection contains 86 various photographs, portraits, and postcards of unidentified people. Some of the only identified portraits include Karl G. Maeser and George Q. Cannon. The photographs were found in Norman Woodbury Osborn's attic.

Dates: approximately 1850-1950

John Rockey Park diary

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 638
Scope and Contents

Typescript of a diary with handwritten corrections. Also included are photocopies of the handwritten original diary. Park writes about visits to the University of Deseret by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Brigham Young and Orson Pratt, tells about hiring Karl G. Maeser, and describes educational financing and the nature of education in Utah.

Dates: 1869-1886

Patriarchal blessings, 1878-1903

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1421 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains serveral patriarchal blessings of Zina Prescinda Young Williams Card. Dated 1878 to 1903, with some undated material.

Dates: 1878-1903

Personal and family papers, 1870-1973

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1421 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains financial records, certificates, programs, local histories, and other family papers. Dated 1870 to 1973.

Dates: 1870-1973