Lee, Rex E., 1935-1996
Dates
- Existence: 1935 - 1996
Biographical History
Rex E. Lee (1935-1996) served as solicitor general of the United States and as President of Brigham Young University.
Rex E. Lee was born in 1935 and grew up in St. John's, Arizona. He served a mission in Mexico from 1955 to 1958, then married Janet Griffin. He received a BA from Brigham Young University in 1960 and a JD from the University of Chicago in 1963. He held five honorary doctorate of law degrees. In 1963, he served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Byron R. White. From 1981 to 1985, he served as solicitor general of the United States, after which he worked for the firm Sidley & Austin.
In 1989, he was named as President of Brigham Young University. During his tenure, he enacted policies that regularized procedures, contributed to timely graduation, and organized massive fundraising and construction. His long-term planning has affected university issues into the 21st century.
At the end of 1995, he stepped down as President due to health reasons. He passed away March 11, 1996.
Citation:
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary Nomination of Rex E. Lee to ... 1975Wikipedia, viewed May 3, 2010 (d. Mar. 11, 1996)
Brigham Young University Office of the President website, via WWW, May 28, 2014 (Rex E. Lee; b. 1935; d. March 11, 1996; grew up in St. John's, AZ; served mission in Mexico, 1955-1958; married Janet Griffin; BA, BYU, 1960; JD, University of Chicago, 1963; law clerk to Byron R. White, 1963; solicitor general of the United States, 1981-1985; worked for Sidley & Austin; named President in 1989; policy achievements; stepped down in 1995)
Found in 21 Collections and/or Records:
Rex E. Lee papers
Contains letters, briefs, clippings, photographs, awards, and other material documenting the life and career of Rex E. Lee. Includes materials from his work with the Jennings, Strouss, & Salmon law firm, the establishment of Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark School of Law, Lee's service as assistant United States Attorney General, his service as United States Solicitor General, and his tenure as president of Brigham Young University. Materials date from between 1910 and 1996.
Publications by or about Rex E. Lee, 1981-1996
Contains copies of articles from the law reviews, magazines, BYU Speeches of the Year, law books, and videos. Materials date from between 1981 and 1996.
Rex E. Lee addresses, 1982-1983
Contains copies of addresses given by Lee at education and church events. Materials date from between 1982 and 1983.
Rex E. Lee arguments files, 1981-1985
Contains argument drafts for cases prosecuted during Lee's service as United States Solicitor General.
Rex E. Lee awards, commendations, and plaques, 1963-1996
Contains honorary law degrees, law-related awards, photographs, certificates of appreciation, congratulation, and authorization, class photographs, citations, distinguished service awards, proclamations of appointment, achievement awards, framed cartoons, veteran's medal of merit, thank-you notes, statuettes, and plaques. Materials document Lee's legal career and accomplishments.
Rex E. Lee briefs for Supreme Court, 1979-1984
Contains copies of briefs for the Supreme Court prepared by Lee during his term as Solicitor General. Files are numbered 80-89 to 84-5797. Materials date from between 1979 and 1984.
Rex E. Lee clippings, 1978-1996
Contains clippings and articles from periodicals (ABA Journal, BYU Today, Y News), a devotional address, inauguration schedule, tributes, notes, photocopies of photograph, press clippings, and newspaper clippings. Includes information on his legal career, personal life, and health. Materials date from between 1978 and 1996.
Rex E. Lee Congressional directories, 1985-1986
Contains two copies of the Congressional Directory, 1985-1986.
Rex E. Lee correspondence, 1976-1996
Contains daily planner pages, incoming correspondence, and "get-well" cards. Materials date from between 1976 and 1996.
Rex E. Lee correspondence, 1973-1985
Contains congratulatory correspondence, memos, personal legal and chronological correspondence, and invitations. Materials date from between 1981 and 1985.