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 111 Collections and/or Records:
Oral history interview with Clayton Jenkins
Interview by Hollis Scott with Clayton Jenkins discussing Jenkins' involvement with various Chamber of Commerce concerns, and his professional career in the knit goods business. Touches upon some historical aspects of Brigham Young University and its contributions to the area economy. Includes transcript and sound recording.
Oral history interview with Hugh W. Peterson
Interview by Leonard R. Grover with Hugh W. Peterson concerning his experiences at Brigham Young University, with the faculty, the chemistry department, and the administration. Also talks about his family, and his association with Geneva Steel, and his work with the Church Welfare Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Includes transcript and sound recordings.
Oral history interview with J. Reuben Clark III
Interview by Thomas Cheney with J. Reuben Clark III, on his experiences as a student at Brigham Young University, and as a professor of French and Latin at BYU. Includes thoughts on several BYU presidents, and his father. Contains sound recordings and transcript.
Oral history interview with J. Smith Jacobs
Typescripts of an oral history conducted as part of the Brigham Young University Archives Joint Oral History Project of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club. Jacobs tells about attending Brigham Young University from 1928 to 1930 and gives his impressions of the university presidents, Enest L. Wilkinson and Franklin S. Harris.
Oral history interview with J. Wyley Sessions
Interview by Don David Sessions with J. Wyley Sessions concerning his work experiences at Brigham Young University, and in starting the Institute Program for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the University of Idaho, Idaho State, and the University of Wyoming. Includes sound recording and transcript.
Oral history interview with Kiefer B. Sauls
Interview by Mark K. Allen with Kiefer Sauls, Brigham Young University treasurer, purchasing agent and secretary to three presidents. Topics cover his association with BYU in those capacities over a 51 year period, childhood reminiscences and family data. Includes sound recording and transcript. Also includes related transcription materials and 16 page transcript of an incomplete interview with Sauls by Celestia Taylor, October 10, 1978.
Oral history interview with Lowry Nelson
Interview by Hollis Scott with Lowry Nelson, first director of the Brigham Young University Extension Services, concerning the development of the Extension Center, and Social Unit systems at BYU, 1921-1935. Also includes activities since leaving BYU. Includes sound recording and transcript.
Oral history interview with Mildred H. Bradley
Interview by Martha Bradley with Mildred Bradley, housewife and daughter of Brigham Young University President Franklin S. Harris. She discusses her family background, education, marriage and children. Includes transcript and sound recording.
Oral history interview with N. La Verl Christensen
Typescript of an interview with N. La Verl Christensen by Hollis Scott on November 22, 1984. The interview was taken under the authority of The Joint Oral History Project Brigham Young University Archives Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club. Christensen talks about important persons he knew who worked at Brigham Young University.
Oral history interview with Russel B. Swensen
Interview by Mark K. Allen with Russel B. Swensen, Brigham Young University professor of Medieval history and comparative religion, concerning his family life, hobbies, education, early employment, Mormon mission to Germany, athletic participation, Seminary, and teaching at BYU. Swensen gives his impressions of several BYU presidents, and discusses his philosophy of teaching. Includes sound recording and transcript.