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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:

Rex E. Lee correspondence, 1973-1985

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 5 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains congratulatory correspondence, memos, personal legal and chronological correspondence, and invitations. Materials date from between 1981 and 1985.

Dates: 1973-1985

Rex E. Lee correspondence, 1976-1996

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 6 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains daily planner pages, incoming correspondence, and "get-well" cards. Materials date from between 1976 and 1996.

Dates: 1976-1996

Rex E. Lee death, 1996-1999

 File — Carton 24: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233630653], Folder: 14
Identifier: UA 5395 Series 2 Sub-Series 1

Rex E. Lee devotionals, 1988-1996

 File — Carton 24: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233630653], Folder: 21-22
Identifier: UA 5395 Series 2 Sub-Series 1

Rex E. Lee inauguration, 1989

 File — Carton 24: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233630653], Folder: 17
Identifier: UA 5395 Series 2 Sub-Series 1

Rex E. Lee inauguration files, 1989

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 6 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains financial information, mailing lists, and labels related to Lee's inauguration as president of Brigham Young University. Materials date from 1989.

Dates: 1989

Rex E. Lee legal files, 1910-1996

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 6 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains briefs, case documents, and other documents related to Lee's legal career. Includes cases argued in the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals, Arizona Supreme Court, and Arizona Court of Appeals. Materials date from between 1910 and 1996.

Dates: 1910-1996

Rex E. Lee memorabilia, 1981-1983

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains clippings and memorabilia collected by Lee, as well as documents on Executive Privilege.

Dates: 1981-1983

Rex E. Lee miscellaneous personal materials, 1962, 1988-1996

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 6 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains legal files, as well as personal papers such as poetry, notes, calendars, and correspondence produced by Lee. Materials date from 1962, and between 1988 and 1996.

Dates: 1962; 1988-1996