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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 6 Collections and/or Records:

J. Urban Allred diaries

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230328988]
Identifier: MSS SC 2909
Scope and Contents Volume begins with autobiographical sketch concerning Allred's early life in Lehi, Utah. Diaries document his attendance at Brigham Young Academy, September 1892-May 1898; service as a Mormon missionary in Tennessee in the Southern States Mission, June 1898-July 1900; activities as a school teacher in Vernal, Utah, August 1900-May 1901; family life with Amelia May Hammond in Lehi, 1901-1910; and family life with Edna Bingham in Raymond, Alberta, and elsewhere, beginning in 1912. Diaries also...
Dates: 1892-1956

Benjamin Cluff letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230324672]
Identifier: MSS SC 2538
Scope and Contents

Contains four handwritten and signed letters addressed to a friend only identified as "Bagley." The items were written when Cluff was living in Tabasco, Mexico. Cluff offers sympathy to his friend at the death of his wife and writes about other personal and business matters.

Dates: 1905-1906

DeWitt family histories

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2983
Scope and Contents

Collection includes three family histories from the DeWitt and Kempe families, which include typescripts of correspondence and journals, reproductions of photographs, and other biographical information. The histories themselves describe the lives of Elijah Reeves DeWitt, Abel Alexander DeWitt Sr., Abel Alexander DeWitt Jr., Christopher Jensen Kempe, and Ruth Leila Kempe. Includes information on their experiences in Utah, Illinois, Indiana, and at Brigham Young Academy.

Dates: 2004-2005

Mildred Cluff Harvey papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227625487]
Identifier: MSS 3951
Scope and Contents Contains papers on Mildred Cluff Harvey and her family. Materials date from between 1866 and 1947. Includes the following: 1. The Biography of Mildred Cluff Harvey by her daughter, Lucile H. Ursenbach, 1900-1947. Typed, 17 pages. 2. Newspaper pages about Benjamin Cluff Jr., Mildred's brother, August 1970. 2 leaves. 3. Mildred Cluff autobiography. 1862-1898. Typed, 9 pages. 4. Mildred Cluff autobiography. 1862-1898. Original pencil handwriting, 19 pages. 5. Photocopied articles about the...
Dates: 1866-1947

History of Ole Van Harris and wife, Annie May Perry Harris

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230322866]
Identifier: MSS SC 2609
Scope and Contents

Typewritten biography of Ole Van Harris and Annie May Perry Harris, his wife. Ole was born in Parowan, Utah in 1876 and was raised on ranch near the town. Ole attended Brigham Young Academy, taught school in various places in Utah, and eventually settled in Salt Lake City, Utah to work as a businessman. His wife Annie May Perry Harris was born in Provo, Utah in 1876 and married Ole in 1901.

Dates: approximately 1980

Annie Swensen Walker diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197230364645]
Identifier: MSS 1656
Scope and Contents

Eleven handwritten diaries. Walker writes about her experiences living in Lindon, Pleasant Grove, and Salt Lake City, Utah. She also relates her experiences while attending Brigham Young Academy and her various church-related activities. Many entries are lengthy and detailed. There are many gaps.

Dates: 1877-1919