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Lee, Rex E., 1935-1996

 Person

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 ... 1975

Wikipedia, 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 149 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President oversize materials, 1989-1995

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 925 Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains memorabilia, plaques, and pictures given to Lee.

Dates: 1989-1995

Office of the President records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 925
Scope and Contents Contains correspondence, speeches, and other materials from Lee's service as university president. The materials document campus administration, including planning for devotionals and forums, athletics, and other activities. Major subjects include university relations, admissions and records, athletics, the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, the honor and dress codes, and other related issues. Also includes minutes to Board of Trustees meetings.Materials date from between 1989 and...
Dates: 1989-1996

Office of the President records on inauguration of Rex E. Lee

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 812
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, recordings, and programs relating to the inauguration of Rex E. Lee as president of Brigham Young University. Dated 1989.

Dates: 1989

Office of the President speeches, 1989-1995

 Series
Identifier: UA 925 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of speeches and other addresses given by Rex and Janet Lee at Brigham Young University campus events.

Dates: Other: 1989-1995

Office of the President travel itineraries, 1989-1995

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 925 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains the travel itineraries for Lee.

Dates: 1989-1995

Publications by or about Rex E. Lee, 1981-1996

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 6 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1981-1996

Ranger plaque, 1991 December 28

 Item — Oversize 89: Series 5 [Barcode: 31197233243309]
Identifier: UA 925 Series 5 Item 6

Rex E. Lee, approximately 1989-1995

 File — Box 3: [Barcode: 31197223107043], Folder: 3
Identifier: UA 946 File 11

Rex E. Lee addresses, 1982-1983

 Sub-Series — Box 161: Series 6 [Barcode: 31197230200641], Folder: 4-6
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 6 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of addresses given by Lee at education and church events. Materials date from between 1982 and 1983.

Dates: 1982-1983