Gerrit de Jong papers
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence, musical scores, essays, and speeches, mainly on religious topics, dated 1949 to 1980. Correspondence pertains to the publication of de Jong's book, Eternal Progress. Also includes a ledger de Jong kept from 1915 to 1918 to track payments received from students for music lessons.
Dates
- 1915-1980
- Majority of material found within 1949-1980
Creator
- De Jong, Gerrit, 1892-1978 (creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.
Biographical History
Gerrit De Jong (1892-1978) was an educator, administrator, linguist, and musician.
Gerrit de Jong Jr. was born to Gerrit de Jong and Lyda Marianna Kuiper in Amsterdam, Netherlands on March 20, 1892. He immigrated to Utah in the United States with his family when he was 14 years old. De Jong married Rosabelle Winegar on September 14, 1911, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together they had three children. He earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish and a master's degree in French from the University of Utah. He also earned a doctorate degree in German with a minor in romantic languages from Stanford University. He later researched in the Bavarian University in Munich, Germany. He was fluent in English and Portuguese and also learned Chinese. In 1947, the United States State Department asked him to direct its cultural center in Santos, Brazil, where he served for the academic year 1947–1948. He lectured and wrote in six languages. He also taught piano and organ and composed music in all forms. After his wife Rosabelle died, De Jong married Thelma Oneta Bonham on September 28, 1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah. De Jong was the first dean of Brigham Young University's College of Fine Arts, which was established in 1925, and was the first college of fine arts west of the Mississippi. De Jong served as the dean of the College until 1960, and during his tenure he impacted the lives of hundreds of students. He died on September 26, 1978, in Provo, Utah. The De Jong Concert Hall at Brigham Young University is named in his honor.
Extent
1 box (0.5 linear ft.)
1 oversize folder (0.1 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
The majority of the papers were donated by the de Jong family in 1985. The music ledger was later purchased from Tschanz Rare Books in October 2019 and added to the collection.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; deJong family; 1985.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Ledger: Purchased; Tschanz Rare Book; October 2019.
Appraisal
Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007).
Processing Information
Processed; Andrea Wyss; April 12, 2011.
Processing Information
Processed; Kate Ashman; July 13, 2021.
- Title
- Register of Gerrit de Jong papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Andrea Wyss
- Date
- 2011 April 12
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States