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 149 Collections and/or Records:
Rex E. Lee special meeting notes, 1990
Rex E. Lee speeches, 1989-1995
Contains speeches, talks, and articles by Rex E. Lee.
Rex E. Lee university conference, 1989-1995
Rex E. Lee vitae material, 1989-1991
Rex E. Lee's resignation, 1990-1995
Solicitor General files, 1981-1985
Contains subject files, administrative files, and legal case files related to Lee's service as Solicitor General of the United States. Includes materials on the United States Supreme Court and the White House.
Special convocation
Special Convocation was held March 5, 1996 to honor Margaret Thatcher and Rex Lee. Both received honorary degrees.
University Communications files on the President, 1960-1999
William Whitaker sketches of university presidents
Contains pencil sketches of all of the presidents of Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young University from Warren N. Dusenberry to Rex E. Lee created by William Whitaker. Each of these are framed for housing purposes. The date of production of materials is 1996.