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Alexander, Thomas G., 1935-

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1935-

Biographical History

Thomas G. Alexander (born 1935) was a professor at Brigham Young University and authored a number of award winning books concerning Latter-day Saint and Utah history.

Thomas G. Alexander was born in Logan, Utah on August 8, 1935, to Glen M. and Violet B. Alexander. He married Marilyn Johns of Ogden on August 15, 1959. They are the parents of five children and have six grandchildren.

He attended schools in Ogden, and earned an A. S. from Weber State University (1955), a BS (1960) and MS (1961) from Utah State University, and a PhD in American History from the University of California at Berkeley (1965). From 1956 to 1958 he served in the West German Mission.

He taught at Brigham Young University from 1964 to 2004, where he has the Lemuel Hardison Redd, Jr. Professor of Western American History and also the Director of Charles Redd Center for Western Studies. He taught Utah history and American environmental history. He has also taught at Utah State University, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Southern Illinois University (where he held a National Historical Records Commission Fellowship), and the University of Utah. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 24 books and monographs, more than 125 scholarly articles, and scores of reviews and scholarly presentations. He has also consulted with a number of national and international organizations and law firms, and on a number of television programs on the history of Utah and the Latter-day Saints.

At BYU he served as chair of the Faculty Advisory Council, and received the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award, the highest faculty honor bestowed by the university.

He has won a number of awards for his publications. These include prizes for Mormonism in Transition: A History of the Latter-day Saints, 1890-1930 and Things in Heaven and Earth: The Life and Times of Wilford Woodruff, a Prophet for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His book, Utah: The Right Place, was commissioned by the State of Utah as the official centennial history, and it is used in a number of institutions as a text for Utah history.

He has served as president of the Pacific Branch of the American Historical Association; the Mormon History Association; the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters; and the Association of Utah Historians; and as chair of the Utah Board of State History and the Utah Humanities Council. He is currently Vice President of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society.

He is a fellow of the Utah State Historical Society and the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. Weber State University awarded him their Emeriti Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.

He has served in a large number of church positions including as a member of four bishoprics (including as a bishop), as a stake high councilman, and as ward and stake executive secretary. In 2004, after his retirement, he served an LDS Church Educational System mission in Berlin, Germany with his wife.

Citation:
Arrington, L. J. A dependent commonwealth, 1974

Woodruff, Wilford. In the whirlpool, 2011: ECIP t.p. (Thomas G. Alexander) change request from pub., A.H. Clark Co., Aug. 3, 2010 (requests that date of birth be added to hdg.)

Wikipedia, website viewed 6 January 2011 (Thomas G. Alexander; Thomas Glen Alexander; born August 8, 1935 in Logan, Utah; raised in Ogden, Utah; mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West German Mission, 1956-1958; AA from Weber State University; B.S. in 1960 and M.A. in 1961 from Utah State University; American historian; professor emeritus from Brigham Young University; joined faculty in 1964 where he taught Utah history and environmental history; Lemuel Hardison Redd, Jr. Professor of Western History; director of Charles Redd Center for Western Studies; taught at Utah State University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Southern Illinois University, and University of Utah; president of the Mormon History Association 1974-1975; president of the Pacific Branch of the American History Association; president and fellow of the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters; president of the Association of Utah Historians; chair Utah Board of State History; chair of the Utah Humanities Council; national president of Phi Alpha Theta; fellow of the Utah State Historical Society; chair BYU's Faculty Advisory Council)

Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:

Thomas G. Alexander papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 1970
Scope and Contents Contains the professional and personal papers of Thomas G. Alexander, dated 1954 to 2018. The professional papers include correspondence, reports, minutes, articles, awards, manuscript drafts, newspaper articles, posters, photographs, questionnaires, outlines, and audiocassettes. These materials pertain to research, students, committees, professional organizations, and courses taught by Dr. Alexander. The personal papers pertain to the U.S. Army and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...
Dates: 1954-2018

Edgemont Stake records, 1978-2010

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains materials from the Edgemont Stake. Materials date from 1978 to 2010.

Dates: 1978-2010

Thomas G. Alexander articles and manuscripts, 1964-2017

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 2 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains articles and manuscripts from the publications of Thomas G. Alexander, dated 1964-2002. Manuscripts are of Alexander's future publications on environmental history, irrigation, and the development of public architecture in Washington D.C, including his book "Utah, the Right Place." Dated 1964 to 2017.

Dates: 1964-2017

Thomas G. Alexander general office papers, 1963-2004

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 3 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains reports, correspondence, and newspapers from Thomas G. Alexander dated 1963-2004. Specifically contains library and course communication, department meetings, and history events.

Dates: 1963-2004

Thomas G. Alexander office meeting and conference papers, 1972-2018

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 3 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes and reports from meetings and conferences with which Thomas G. Alexander was associated, including faculty councils and education and records committees. Dated 1972 to 2018.

Dates: 1972-2018

Thomas G. Alexander office national research facilities papers, 1961-1974

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 3 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to national research facilities such as the Library of Congress, National Archives, and various archives and libraries at various universities. Dated from 1961 to 1974.

Dates: 1961-1974

Thomas G. Alexander office papers, 1957-2018

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes, correspondence, and reports from meetings, conferences, seminars, and professional organizations with which Thomas G. Alexander was associated. Also included are student papers. Dated 1957 to 2018.

Dates: 1957-2018

Thomas G. Alexander office research proposals and awards, 1964-2014

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 3 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains research proposals in which Thomas G. Alexander was involved. Also included are awards that Dr. Alexander received for his work, such as Brigham Young University grants, the Arrington-Prucha Prize, and Governor's Awards. Dated from 1964 to 2014.

Dates: 1964-2014

Thomas G. Alexander office student papers, 1965-2001

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 3 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the students of Thomas G. Alexander. The materials include recommendation letters and student evaluations, especially for graduate and doctorate candidates. Dated from 1965 to 2001.

Dates: 1965-2001

Thomas G. Alexander papers on Washington Seminar, 1977-1981

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1970 Series 3 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains materials from the Washington Seminar that Thomas G. Alexander was involved in. Materials include class schedules, outlines, and student papers from 1977 to 1981.

Dates: 1977-1981