Harris, Franklin Stewart, 1884-1960
Dates
- Existence: 1884 - 1960
Biographical History
Franklin Stewart Harris (1884-1960) was President of Brigham Young University from 1921 to 1945. During that time he helped the university grow both physically, with adding new buildings and also intellectually by hiring more teachers and establishing international connections for the University.
Franklin Stewart Harris was born August 29, 1884 in Benjamin, Utah. He moved with his family to the state of Chihuahua, Mexico in the 1890s to the colonies there. He would study at Brigham Young University and go on to Cornell to receive his doctorate.
Harris served as president of Brigham Young University from 1921 until 1945. His administration was characterized by improvement in academics and by growth of the University's physical facilities, such as the construction of the Heber J. Grant Library building. Even with the financial pressures of the Great Depression from the late 1920s to the 1930s, Harris was able to help increase Brigham Young University attendance, library and campus facilities.
In 1945 Harris left Brigham Young University to be the president of the Utah State Agricultural College (what is now Utah State University). He died April 18, 1960 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Citation:
LCCN 24-22058: His Scientific research and human welfare, 1924 (hdg.: Harris, Franklin Stewart, 1884-1960; usage: Franklin Stewart Harris)The many lives of Franklin S. Harris, [2003], ©2003: t.p. (Franklin S. Harris) p.1 (b. 29 August 1884, Benjamin, Utah) p.341 (d. 18 April 1960, Salt Lake City, Utah)
Wikipedia, website viewed 20 May 2011 (Franklin S. Harris; Franklin Stewart Harris; b. August 29, 1884 in Benjamin, Utah Territory, United States; d. April 18, 1960; president of Brigham Young University 1921-1945; president of Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) 1945-1950; agricultural scientist; doctorate from Cornell University; professor and head of the agricultural experiment station at Utah State Agriculrural College; undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University; childhood in the Colonies in Chihuahua, Mexico; candidate for United States Senate in Utah in 1938; General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1923; mission to Japan in 1926; mission to Syria in 1927)
Brigham Young University Office of the President, May 28, 2014 (Past Presidents; president from 1921-1945)
BYU Magazine, May 28, 2014 (Franklin S. Harris; administration characterized by improvement in academics; increased attendance, library, and facilities)
Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 4, 1941: p. 240 (moved to Chihuahua, Mexico in the 1890s; studied at Brigham Young University and Cornell University)
Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:
Franklin Stewart Harris letter to Helen Ellsworth
Written by the president of Brigham Young University to a student, enclosing a copy of the school pep song, "Alma Pater." He encourages her to promote the university to her friends. One sheet of the "Alma Pater" music is torn. Also includes a more complete photocopy of the pep song. The name of the author of the lyrics to "Alma Pater," Glen S. Potter, is written in ink on the first page of the printed sheet music.
Harris family papers
Includes correspondence, mementoes, published writings, unpublished writings, addresses, notes, scrapbooks, diaries, letters, and photograph albums created by members of the Harris family between 1818 and 1969. The majority of the materials document the life of Franklin S. Harris. Also includes personal writings by Dennison Emer Harris, and materials belonging to Emer Harris.
Christen Jensen papers
Collection includes correspondence, reports, memoranda, minutes, and examinations concerning Brigham Young University transfer credits, awards, faculty meetings, graduate school, Franklin S. Harris, Ernest L. Wilkinson, history, political science, and public administration.
Janet Jenson collection on Franklin Stewart Harris
A. Rex Johnson correspondence
Contains 163 letters to and from Johnson while he was student body president and president of the Alumni Association. It also includes correspondence with president Harris, faculty, administrators, and others outside of campus. It also contains information concerning his life after leaving Brigham Young University. Dated 1922-1930.
North Fork Investment Company letter to Franklin Stewart Harris
Letter to Harris that had accompanied the deed for ten acres at Aspen Grove, Utah. Written on stationery from Stewart and Stewart, and signed by Scott P. Stewart. Letter dated October 15, 1921.
Office of the President records
Contains correspondence and other material produced by Harris during his term as president of Brigham Young University from 1921 to 1945. Among his papers are financial and budget papers related to his years as president, materials related to Brigham Young University facilities maintenance and construction, and materials related to Brigham Young University during World War II.
Student Publications Office records
Contains budget reports, bids, audits, contracts and correspondence between Franklin S. Harris, Brigham Young University President, 1921-1945, Ralph W. Jenson, Brigham Young University Banyan editor and photographers, printers and designers concerning the preparations of the Banyan and the "Y" News. 13 items.