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Other professional papers of W. Cleon Skousen, 1911-2005

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9364 Series 4 Sub-Series 9

Scope and Contents

Contains papers created or collected by W. Cleon Skousen throughout his various professional activities. Includes research files of clippings, publications, overhead transparencies, curriculum, lecture and educational materials, proposals for new coalitions, articles, emails, and letters on American history, the U.S. Constitution with or without a religious context, world politics, survivalism, conspiracy theories, political candidates, family studies, monetary policy, nuclear warfare, communism, the Soviet Union, socialism, religious freedom, outer space and defense, and professional material created by family members.

Materials relate to various organizations Skousen affiliated with, such as the Institute for Constitutional Education (he served as education chair in 1991), the Council for National Policy (he served as president), George Whythe College, the All American Society, the Bicentennial Commission, the Center for Educational Restoration, Inc. and Kimber Academy. Contains photographs and negatives of tours and events, calendars from the 1980s documenting Skousen's daily engagements, the inaugural program of Richard Nixon’s presidency, certificates for entry to Hall of Fames, academic degrees (including honorary ones), and certificates of merit, entry to bar, and entry to the Supreme Court as an attorney. Plaques from George Whythe College, Constitutional Forum V, The New Hampshire Center for Constitutional Studies, and others are also included.

Oversize photographs include images of protests, Mike Leavitt's office photograph (signed), a signed photograph to "Chief Skousen" from Cecille B. DeMille, the International Press Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1980, a group photograph of the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women in 1959, and an image of a filled amphitheater when Dwight Eisenhower addressed the Republican National Convention in 1960. Audio recordings include tape reels and cassettes on various political topics, speeches of political and educational figures, educational material, and material from the Institute for Constitutional Education (I.C.E.) and the National Institute for Constituional Education (N.I.C.E). Video recordings include conferences and other events, educational materials, media coverage and interviews, and recordings of TV programs. Materials are dated 1911 to 2005.

Dates

  • 1911-2005

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Condition restricted. Photographs and negatives kept in cold storage; access requires 24 hours advance notice.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtainany necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical / Historical

From the Collection:

Willard Cleon Skousen was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, on January 20, 1913, to Margarita Bentley and Royal Pratt Skousen. The family moved to San Bernardino, California, when Cleon was 10. He studied at Juarez Academy in Mexico for 9th and 10th grade while living with his grandmother in Colonia Juarez. Skousen served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the British Isles. He later attended San Bernadino Valley Junior College, where he served as student body president and excelled as a debater and public speaker. He went on to attend George Washington University and received his J.D. degree. Skousen was admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and before the Federal District Court of Appeals. In 1935, while still attending law school, Skousen entered J. Edgar Hoover's FBI and was subsequently appointed as a Special Agent.

Skousen married Jewel Almira Pitcher Skousen on August 13, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had eight children. Skousen served in various parts of the United States during World War II and was appointed to a supervisory administrative position at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. Skousen left the FBI in 1951, after 16 years of service, to become the Director of Public Services and a member of the faculty at Brigham Young University. In 1956, he was given a leave of absence from BYU to reorganize the Salt Lake City Police Department, where he served as Chief of Police until 1960. In the fall of 1960, Skousen became Field Director for the American Security Council, as well as the editorial director of Law and Order, a police magazine. He returned to teach at BYU from 1967 to 1978.

Skousen's loyalty to America's founding fathers and the Constitution led to his founding the Freeman Institute in 1971; it was later renamed the National Center for Constitutional Studies. He served as president of the NCCS until 1988, working on educational courses, speeches, and writings aimed to educate citizens and elect government officials with similar views on the Constitution. Skousen authored many books and spoke prolifically across the United States. Some of his best-selling publications include "The Naked Communist," "So You Want to Raise a Boy?" "The Making of America," and "The Five Thousand Year Leap." He also wrote books on religion, including "The Prophecy and Modern Times,” and "Treasures from the Book of Mormon.” Skousen passed away January 9, 2006, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Biographical / Historical

From the Collection:

Jewel Almira Pitcher Skousen was born August 29, 1918, in San Bernardino, California, to Myrtle Gertrude Barton and Hiram Nathen Pitcher. Her parents were descendants of early Latter-day Saint pioneers in California. Jewel attended San Bernadino High School, graduating in 1934. She married W. Cleon Skousen in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 13, 1936. They had eight children. The family lived in California, Washington, D.C., and for the majority of Jewel's life, in Utah. Jewel did not work outside the home after having her children, but she was heavily involved in the career of her husband. She proof-read and edited his publications and accompanied him on travels both within and outside the United States. She participated in many of the events and gatherings related to Cleon's career as an FBI agent, professor, Chief of Police in Salt Lake City, author, and speaker. Jewel was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. Cleon passed away in 2006, and Jewel passed away on February 23, 2019, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 100.

Extent

15 cartons

1 box

9 folders

1 oversize box

4 oversize folders

1 computer optical disc

8 photographs : black and white, color

85 sound cassettes

155 sound tape reels

193 videocassettes

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States