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Harris, Franklin Stewart, 1884-1960

 Person

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 7 Collections and/or Records:

Brigham Young University salaries, budget, and finances

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231033975]
Identifier: UA 120
Scope and Contents

Includes enrollment records and financial reports, and discussion and dissent about faculty salaries during the tenure of president Franklin Harris.

Dates: 1939-1943
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Brigham Young University salaries, budget, and finances

Founder's Day report

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231028314]
Identifier: UA 91
Scope and Contents

Report prepared by Brown, a student and secretary to Franklin S. Harris, concerning Founder's Day, October 16, 1941. Also concerns dedication of Joseph Smith Building with statements by Harris, Joseph Fielding Smith, and David O. McKay.

Dates: 1941
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Founder's Day report

Christen Jensen papers

 Collection
Identifier: UA 96
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1903-1961
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Christen Jensen papers

Office of the President records on World War II, 1943-1945

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 3
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to Brigham Young University during World War II, through correspondence and reports from Brigham Young University President Franklin S. Harris. The reports include office candidate school and technical programs run on campus to prepare students to serve in the military and reference letters to military branches written by Harris recommending students to officer training programs. Also included are reports outlining the effects of the mobilization for the war on...
Dates: 1943-1945
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1089, Office of the President records

Office of the President reports

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 726
Scope and Contents

Includes information on enrollment, academic courses and curriculum, finances, buildings, and real estate. Includes reports from Presidents Cluff, Brimhall, Harris, Nuttall (Acting), Jensen (Acting), and McDonald.

Dates: 1892-1949
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President reports

Report of semi-centennial celebration of the founding of Brigham Young University

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233259446]
Identifier: UA 894
Scope and Contents Record of events held as part of the semicentennial celebration, compiled by A. Rex Johnson and Melvin C. Miller. Includes transcripts of talks. Also includes a photograph showing people and parade floats in front of the Maeser Building. Speakers included George H. Brimhall, Willard Young, Adam S. Bennion, David J. Wilson, Herbert E. Bolton, Heber J. Grant, Franklin S. Harris, E. G. Peterson, John A. Widtsoe, Richard R. Lyman, and others. Includes a report on the dedication of the Heber...
Dates: 1925
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Report of semi-centennial celebration of the founding of Brigham Young University

Some activities at Brigham Young University during the presidency of Franklin S. Harris

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231020535]
Identifier: UA 452
Scope and Contents

Documents the growth of the University during the presidency of Franklin Harris.

Dates: 1921-1945
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Some activities at Brigham Young University during the presidency of Franklin S. Harris

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