Skip to main content

Rex E. Lee awards, commendations, and plaques, 1963-1996

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 7

Scope and Contents

Contains honorary law degrees, law-related awards, photographs, certificates of appreciation, congratulation, and authorization, class photographs, citations, distinguished service awards, proclamations of appointment, achievement awards, framed cartoons, veteran's medal of merit, thank-you notes, statuettes, and plaques. Materials document Lee's legal career and accomplishments.

Dates

  • Creation: 1963-1996

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Donor restricted. Permission to use materials must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Please direct any questions to Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical History

From the Collection:

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.

Extent

7 oversize boxes

2 cartons

Language of Materials

English