Skip to main content

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 4 Collections and/or Records:

Brigham Young University inaugural speeches and responses

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233274817]
Identifier: UA SC 19
Scope and Contents

Contains only inaugural speeches and responses by presidents Harris, McDonald, Wilkinson, Oaks, Holland, and Lee.

Dates: 1921-1989

Franklin Stewart Harris speeches, approximately 1935-1945

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 340 Series 2 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains manuscripts and reprints of speeches by Harris. Materials date from the mid-1930s to mid-1940s.

Dates: approximately 1935-1945

Franklin Stewart Harris papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231033926]
Identifier: UA 125
Scope and Contents

Includes edited, typewritten copies of his inaugural address "The Outlook for the Brigham Young University," and a letter concerning the history of the grounds at Brigham Young University. 4 items.

Dates: 1921

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