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 111 Collections and/or Records:

Franklin Stewart Harris exhibit prints, 1910-1930

 File — Oversize-folder 10
Identifier: MSS P 17 File 8
Scope and Contents

Prints produced for the exhibit "Franklin S. Harris: Setting Sail."

Dates: 1910-1930

Franklin Stewart Harris journals, 1903-1954

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

Contains journals prepared by Harris with information about activities. Dated between 1903 and 1954.

Dates: 1903-1954

Franklin Stewart Harris lantern slides, 1926-1940

 Series
Identifier: MSS P 340 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains lantern slides of photographs taken by Harris and copied from original negatives. Includes images from Harris's travels in Asia, Europe, Russia, Mexico, and Iran. Materials date from between 1926 and 1940.

Dates: 1926-1940

Franklin Stewart Harris lantern slides of around-the-world trip, 1927-1928

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS P 340 Series 6 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains images from Harris' trip around the world during 1927 and 1928. Includes photographs of landscapes, people, and sites in Europe, the Middle East, India, East Asia, and Oceania.

Dates: 1927-1928

Franklin Stewart Harris lantern slides of Iran, 1939-1940

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS P 340 Series 6 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of Harris' travel in Iran between 1939 and 1940.

Dates: 1939-1940

Franklin Stewart Harris lantern slides of Mexico, 1930-1931

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS P 340 Series 6 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of Harris' travels to Mexico between 1930 and 1931.

Dates: 1930-1931

Franklin Stewart Harris lantern slides of the Soviet Union, 1929

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS P 340 Series 6 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of Russia taken by Harris in 1929. Includes images of Russia cities, people, and landscapes.

Dates: 1929

Franklin Stewart Harris letter to Helen Ellsworth

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230328715]
Identifier: MSS SC 2944
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1932

Franklin Stewart Harris mementoes, approximately 1940-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 340 Series 2 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Contains ephemera, awards, programs, and other material received or collected by Harris. Dated from approximately 1940 and 1957.

Dates: approximately 1940-1957

Franklin Stewart Harris negatives, 1912-1927

 Series
Identifier: MSS P 340 Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains diazo copy negatives of photographs by Harris. Includes images of Utah and the West, Brigham Young University, and Utah Agricultural College. Also includes photographs from Europe, the Middle East, India, and East Asia. Images date from between 1912 and 1927.

Dates: 1912-1927