Maureen Ursenbach Beecher papers presented in academic meetings, 1975-1997

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 2285 Series 8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents note

This series contains papers that were presented by Maureen Ursenbach Beecher in academic forums. Many pertain to the history of prominent LDS women. Materials dated 1975-1997.

Dates

Other: 1975-1997

Creator

Beecher, Maureen Ursenbach (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research. (Swiss-Mormon papers are copies of materials gathered and created by Paul-Anthon Nielson of Oberhofer, Switzerland. Use of those papers must be authorized by him.)

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Maureen Ursenbach Beecher collection must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

From the Collection:

Maureen Ursenbach Beecher was born March 19, 1935 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to Charles Ursenbach and Margaret Lucille Harvey. In 1958, she left to serve in the Swiss-Austrian Mission for the LDS Church. She was a professor of English at BYU from 1981-1997 and Research Historian for the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History for the same time period. She is now retired living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Maureen Ursenbach Beecher was born on March 19, 1935 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Charles Ursenbach and Margaret Lucille Harvey. After her father had filled a short term mission to Eastern Canada, he and her mother moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada where the family's roots were firmly planted. Her parents would have four children: Harvey, Geraldine, and Lucille, and Maureen.

The house her parents built and moved into in 1928 would be the house that Maureen grew up in. Many joyful and sorrowful memories of her family were shared there. One of the most outstanding memories of her childhood is the day of her baptism, on Easter Sunday, 25 April 1943, and being confirmed by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

School was always very easy for Maureen. She received many awards at Sunalta School in Calgary for academics. Maureen continued to excel throughout school and on to the University of Alberta, Calgary and Edmonton branches, receiving a Diploma in Secondary Education. After receiving her diploma, she proceeded to get her Bachelor of Science in English and Mathematics at Brigham Young University in 1958.

After graduating from Brigham Young University, Maureen departed for the Swiss-Austrian Mission on 8 December 1958. The mission proved to be a growing experience for Maureen. When she returned home, she pursued her education further by receiving her Masters Degree in English in 1966 and her PhD in 1973 in Comparative Literature. Both degrees were earned at the University of Utah. She married, but later divorced Dale Beecher.

Maureen has published articles and books and lectured many times during her Academic career. She has also served as Managing Editor of Western Humanities Review from 1969-1972; Editor and senior research associate, History Division, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1972-1980; Associate Professor and Professor of English from 1981-1997; and Research Historian in the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History, Brigham Young University, 1981-1997. Furthermore, she has served on many professional organizations and participated in the community.

In addition to Maureen's accomplishments, she has also been one of the leading advocates for Mormon Women's Studies. Maureen has contributed much through her research and writings of Mormon Women.

Following her retirement from BYU, Maureen took a position with Global Forum, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.