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Brigham Young Academy

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1875 - 1903

Administrative History

Brigham Young Academy (1875-1903) was established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of Brigham Young for the instruction of church members in the area of Provo, Utah.

Brigham Young Academy was the predecessor to Brigham Young University and Brigham Young High School. Brigham Young saw the school as a place where all secular learning should be fused with teachings from the scriptures. Despite steady growth during its early years, the Academy was threatened by a series of financial and physical setbacks. With the help and sacrifice of Abraham O. Smoot, the campus moved in 1891 to new facilities on University Avenue in Provo Utah. The Academy's curriculum strengthened and enrollment grew. In 1903, the name was officially changed to Brigham Young University.

Brigham Young Academy principals included Warren N. Dusenberry (1876), Karl G. Maeser (1876-1892), and Benjamin Cluff (1892-1894). Benjamin Cluff also served as Academy president between 1894 and 1903.

Citation:
The Journal of pedagogy, Feb. 1895: t.p. (Brigham Young Academy)

BYU--national champions, 1985: intro. (Brigham Young University)

History of BYU (within Brigham Young University website), via WWW, 4 November 2010 (Brigham Young Academy established October 16, 1875 in Provo, Utah. Name changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. Sponsored by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Provo City Library website, via WWW, Oct. 2, 2012 (Brigham Young Academy; founded in 1876; essentially a high school until 1896, with the founding of the College Dept.)

YFacts History of BYU, via WWW, viewed May 31, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy (1875-1903), Brigham Young saw the school as a place where all secular learning should be fused with teachings from the scriptures, despite steady growth during its early years, the Academy was threatened by a series of financial and physical setbacks, with the help and sacrifice of Abraham O. Smoot, the campus moved in 1891 to new facilities on University Avenue in Provo Utah, the Academy's curriculum strengthened and enrollment grew, 1903 the name was officially changed to Brigham Young University)

Yfacts BYU Presidents, via WWW, viewed Mar. 19, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy principals included Warren N. Dusenberry (1876), Karl G. Maeser (1876-1892), and Benjamin Cluff (1892-1903))

Brigham Young High School History, via WWW, viewed May 31, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy was the predecessor to Brigham Young University and Brigham Young High School)

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

General Church Board of Education correspondence, 1888-1901

 Series
Identifier: UA 1094 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains the correspondence of Karl G. Maeser and other members of the Church Board of Education related to the schools of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Correspondence references difficulties related to funding and staffing a large number of schools. Materials date from 1888 to 1901.

Dates: 1888-1901

Karl G. Maeser personal correspondence, 1861-1900

 Series
Identifier: UA 1094 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to the personal life and projects of Maeser, along with correspondence related to his family. Included are Maeser's correspondence with Brigham Young about the issue of plural marriage and the state of his family. Dates range from 1861 to 1900.

Dates: 1861-1900

Karl G. Maeser correspondence

 Collection — Box 3: [Barcode: 31197232517240]
Identifier: UA 1094
Scope and Contents Contains photocopies, microfilm, and a few original documents of correspondence to and from Karl G. Maeser. Materials cover Maeser's personal life, time as principal of Brigham Young Academy, and time as superintendent of the General Church Board of Education. The correspondence is addressed to many individuals all over the Intermountain West and Mexico concerning education including several presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their counselors. The materials...
Dates: 1861-1901

Principal's Office correspondence, 1878-1889

 Series
Identifier: UA 1094 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to Maeser's term as principal of Brigham Young Academy. Materials focus on the financial difficulties of the Academy and the need for more teachers. Also addressed are discipline and ecclesiastical matters. Dates range from 1878 to 1889.

Dates: 1878-1889