Skip to main content

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 99 Collections and/or Records:

Brigham Young University vice-presidential administrative correspondence, 1975-2004

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1325 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains administrative correspondence and minutes collected by the advancement vice president. Included is the correspondence of Rex E. Lee and Jeffrey R. Holland, facility records, incident records, personnel files, University Relations meeting minutes, College of Fine Arts and Communications performance information, records from various university institutes, awards, and committee records, 1975-2004.

Dates: 1975-2004
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1325, Brigham Young University vice-presidential records

Rex E. Lee papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2017
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1910-1996
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Rex E. Lee papers

Office of the President administrative correspondence, 1991-1993

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 4 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to university committees, employment, and other matters. Materials date from between 1991 and 1993.

Dates: 1991-1993
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 925, Office of the President records / Office of the President correspondence / Office of the President correspondence

Office of the President administrative correspondence, 1993-1994

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 5 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to university committees, employment, and other matters. Materials date from between 1993 and 1994.

Dates: 1993-1994
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 925, Office of the President records / Office of the President correspondence / Office of the President correspondence

Office of the President administrative correspondence, 1994-1995

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 6 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to university committees, employment, and other matters. Materials date from between 1994 and 1995.

Dates: 1994-1995
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 925, Office of the President records / Office of the President correspondence / Office of the President correspondence

Office of the President administrative correspondence, 1981-1989

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to university committees, employment, and other matters. Materials date from between 1981 and 1989.

Dates: 1981-1989
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 925, Office of the President records / Office of the President correspondence / Office of the President correspondence

Office of the President administrative correspondence, 1989-1991

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 2 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to university committees, employment, and other matters. Materials date from between 1989 and 1991.

Dates: 1989-1991
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 925, Office of the President records / Office of the President correspondence / Office of the President correspondence

Office of the President administrative correspondence, 1990-1992

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 3 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to university committees, employment, and other matters. Materials date from between 1990 and 1992.

Dates: 1990-1992
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 925, Office of the President records / Office of the President correspondence / Office of the President correspondence

Office of the President alphabetical correspondence, 1990-1991

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 2 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence with the Office of the President, focusing on university business. Materials date from between 1990 and 1991.

Dates: 1990-1991
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 925, Office of the President records / Office of the President correspondence / Office of the President correspondence

Office of the President alphabetical correspondence, 1993-1994

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 5 Sub-Series 19
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence with the Office of the President, focusing on university business. Materials date from between 1993 and 1994.

Dates: 1993-1994
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 925, Office of the President records / Office of the President correspondence / Office of the President correspondence

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.