Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson), 1855-1931
Dates
- Existence: 1855 - 1931
Biographical History
Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931) was an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a writer, poet, and editor.
Orson F. Whitney was born on July 1, 1855, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Horace K. Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball Whitney. As a young man, Whitney wanted to be an actor and he spent many hours preparing for the stage by studying elocution, fencing, and grammar. However, during General Conference in 1876, Whitney was called to serve in the Eastern States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mother sold her land and used the money to fund Whitney's mission. While on his mission, Whitney discovered his interest in the Gospel as well as in writing and speaking. He started a regular column of his missionary experiences in the "Salt Lake Herald" under the pen name Iago. In 1878, twenty-three-year-old Whitney was called to serve as the bishop of the Eighteenth Ward, a calling he held for 28 years. In 1906, Whitney was called to be an Apostle in the Church. He also completed three more missions for the Church, including being the president of the European Mission in 1921.
In 1879, Whitney married Zina Beal Smoot and they had nine children together. Whitney also had two more wives: Mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells. During his life, Whitney edited the "Salt Lake Herald," served on the city council, participated in the Home Dramatic Club, engaged in politics, and wrote poetry and books. In 1890, he published his first book, a biography of his grandfather Heber C. Kimball. That same year, Wildford Woodruff and John O. Williams commissioned Whitney to write "History of Utah"; he produced two volumes of the work by 1894 and the third in 1898. He also published a biography of Lorenzo Snow, an autobiography, and several books of poetry including his lengthy epic poem "Elias: An Epic of the Ages."
Whitney died on May 16, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Citation:
nuc86-87404: His The Mormon prophet's tragedy, 1905 (hdg. on CU-BANC rept.: Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson), 1855-1931; usage: Orson F. Whitney)Wikipedia, viewed 12 January 2012 (Orson F. Whitney; Orson Ferguson Whitney; b.1 July 1855, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory; member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1906-1931; author; politician; journalist; historian; academic; began career writing for the Deseret News; editor of the Millennial Star; taught English and Theology at Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah; Assistant Church Historian of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; served on the Salt Lake City Council in 1880; Salt Lake City Treasurer, 1884-1890; Utah State Senator, 1898 and 1901; d. May 16, 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah)
General Authority Pages, via WWW, 2008 (wanted to be an actor and he spent many hours preparing for the stage by studying elocution, fencing, and grammar; during General Conference in 1876, called to serve in the Eastern States Mission for The Church; His mother sold her land almost immediately after his acceptance of the call and used the money to fund Whitney's mission; discovered his interest in writing and speaking; started a regular column of his missionary experiences in the "Salt Lake Herald"; pen name Iago; 1878, twenty-three-year-old Whitney bishop of the Eighteenth Ward; held for 28 years; In 1906, called to be an apostle; three missions for the Church; president of the European Mission in 1921; married Zina Beal Smoot and they had 9 children together; two more wives: Mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells; edited the "Salt Lake Herald," served on the city council, participated in the Home Dramatic Club, engaged in politics, and wrote poetry and books; In 1890, he published his first book, a biography of his grandfather Heber C. Kimball; Church commisioned Whitney to write "History of Utah"; produced two volumes of the work by 1894 and the third in 1898; published a biography of Lorenzo Snow, an autobiography, and several books of poetry including his lengthy epic poem, "Elias, An Epic of the Ages")
Family Search, via WWW, April 18, 2014 (born on July 1, 1855, in Salt lake City, Utah, to Horace Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball; married Zina Beal Smoot and they had 9 children together. Whitney also had two more wives: mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells; died on May 16, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah)
Found in 35 Collections and/or Records:
Orson F. Whitney general writings, approximately 1892-1930
Materials include originals and transcriptions of religious and non-religious writings by Orson F. Whitney. They include speeches, sermons, talks, congressional addresses, essays, and publications about writing, poetry, education, history, religion, Mormonism, America, friends and family, gender, romance, and politics. Dated approximately 1892-1930.
Orson F. Whitney manuscript for Elias : An Epic of the Ages, 1914
Materials include transcriptions of an epic poem, titled "Elias: An Epic of the Ages," written by Orson F. Whitney. It is his attempt to present doctrinal, prophetic, and historical themes of Mormonism through poetry. It begins at the bilbilcal creation of the world and ends with the last days. It was originally published in 1904 without Whitney's knowledge, but revised and published by Whitney himself in 1914. Dated 1914.
Orson F. Whitney manuscript for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints : A History, date of production not identified
Materials include transcriptions of parts of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: A History," written by Orson F. Whitney. As the title indicates, the work summarizes the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including biblical history that Whitney viewed as essential to the foundation of Mormonism. This collection contains the introduction and ten chapters. Date of production not identified.
Orson F. Whitney other writings, 1890-1898
Materials include other writings by Orson F. Whitney about religion, specifically about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is also his "History of Utah" series that details the history of the state of Utah from before the Church members arrived to when Whitney was living there. There are also various untitled works and documents written or edited by Whitney. Dated 1890-1898.
Orson F. Whitney poetry, date of production not identified
The six folders contain originals and transcriptions of Orson F. Whitney's original poetry. Whitney was a romantic poet so much of his poetry is about religion, love, history, and nature. Most of the poetry titles are alphabetized. Date of production not identified.
Orson F. Whitney writings, approximately 1842-1930
Materials contain originals and transcriptions of writings by Orson F. Whitney including poetry, religious material, non-religious material, his epic poem, "Elias: An Epic of the Ages," his history of Utah, transcriptions and notes of the King Follett Sermon, and the Church history series "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: A History." There are also various clippings and reprints from newspapers, magazines, and general conference talks. Dated approximately 1842-1930.
Orson F. Whitney writings of others, approximately 1842-1918
Materials include magazines, articles, sermons, and poetry by other authors collected by Orson F. Whitney. There is material written by famous authors as well as less famous members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It seems that someone at one point had gathered these clippings and keepsakes into a scrapbook of some sort. Date of production not identified.
Samuel Russell, Jr. mission letters, 1898 November 11-1900 June 4
Contains mission correspondence of Samuel Russell [Jr.], including with B.H. Roberts, J. Golden Kimball, Lorenzo Snow, James D. Sterling, Richard R. Lyman, Orson F. Whitney, and George Reynolds. 11 items, dated November 11, 1898 to June 4, 1900.
Sarah Taylor autograph album
Autograph book which contains the signatures of many prominent Mormons with person remarks and poems addressed to Sarah Taylor.
Orson F. Whitney and Zina B. Smoot Whitney correspondence
Materials include photocopies of correspondence between Orson F. Whitney and Zina B. Smoot Whitney in addition to photocopies of correspondence from Abraham O. Smoot, Margaret T. Smoot Dusenberry, and some of their other friends, relatives, and associates. Most of the letters are concerning personal family matters and religion. Dated approximately 1868-1898.