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 4 Collections and/or Records:
Independence plaque, 1989
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.
Ranger plaque, 1991 December 28
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.