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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 402 Collections and/or Records:

Social Party Committee minutes

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012201]
Identifier: UA 342
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes of a social committee planning a party for Brigham Young Academy students in January 1878. Includes a transcript.

Dates: 1878 January 18

Some significant dates in BYU history

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012748]
Identifier: UA 380
Scope and Contents

Includes a list of selected significant dates and events in Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young University history, including deed of trust, tenure of presidents and principles, construction of buildings, founding of organizations, clubs, academic departments and colleges, sports events, and festivals.

Dates: approximately 1957

Student Loan Association of Utah records

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231020477]
Identifier: UA 458
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes of directors meeting, articles of agreement, licenses, correspondence, financial records, and applications for loans, 1891-1932. Also includes a handwritten letter from George Q. Cannon requesting balance information for Lilian H. Cannon (see folder 3).

Dates: 1891-1932

Students, approximately 1885

 Item — Box 1: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197233630380], Folder: 17
Identifier: UA P 2 Series 1 Item 24
Scope and Contents

Two reproductions of a photograph of an early group of Brigham Young Academy students, approximately 1877. Prints created between 1970 and 1975.

Dates: approximately 1885

Students

 Digital Record
Identifier: UAP2_F017_p017bottom

Sunday School minute books and annual reports

 Collection
Identifier: UA 200
Scope and Contents

Contains minute books for the Brigham Young Academy Sunday School program, including attendance rosters and notes on officers, instructors, speakers, and class topics. Also contains two annual financial and statistical reports for the year end of 1901 and 1902. Materials are dated 1893-1902.

Dates: 1893-1902

Sunday School minutes

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 358
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes of the Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young University Church Sunday Schools, 1902-1913.

Dates: 1902-1913

Photograph of the Sunday School Normals Brigham Young Academy

 Collection — Oversize 1: [Barcode: 31197227644116]
Identifier: MSS 3785
Scope and Contents

This collection contains one large framed photograph titled "Sunday School Normals B[righam] Y[oung] Academy Class of 1893."

Dates: 1893

Flora Harvey Sundberg papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225522298]
Identifier: MSS 3184
Scope and Contents

A brief life sketch of Flora Harvey Sundberg as well as three photographs of her.

Dates: 1882-1939

John C. Swensen papers

 Collection — Carton 1: [Barcode: 31197231013175]
Identifier: MSS 6772
Scope and Contents Contains histories, correspondence and other ephemera that pertains to his personal, professional and church life. Much of the collection refers to Stanford University where he attended. Brigham Young Academy/University is mentioned throughout as he attended school there as well as taught. John C. was very involved in pedagogy which is reflected through these papers. Much of the collection consists of letters from prior students of John C. Swensen. Writings of his autobiography are also...
Dates: 1848-1953