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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:

Photographs of water skiing, 1974

 Series
Identifier: UA 1029 Series 20
Scope and Contents

Photographs of water skiing at Brigham Young University. Images date from 1974.

Dates: 1974

Photographs of women's athletics, 1893-1946

 Series
Identifier: UA 1029 Series 21
Scope and Contents

Photographs of women engaged in athletic activities at Brigham Young University. Images date from 1893 to 1946.

Dates: 1893-1946

Ann Pitchforth collection

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197223103133]
Identifier: MSS 1374
Scope and Contents Collection includes correspondence of Samuel Jackson (born 1764) of Providence Green, Yorkshire, England; of his brothers, Richard and James; and of his son, Samuel (born circa 1803). Also includes letters by Ann Pitchforth, sister-in-law of the latter Samuel Jackson, and by others, mostly members of the Jackson family. The correspondence relates primarily to family and business concerns. Several of the Richard Jackson letters were written from Staten Island, New York, between 1810 and...
Dates: 1793-1930

Polysophical Society minutes

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2879
Scope and Contents

Two pages of handwritten minutes of the society's first two meetings, held in the Lewis Building at Brigham Young Academy on November 30 and December 7, 1877. Minutes include summary of Karl G. Maeser's comments on the society's functions, and qualifications for membership. The society's first president was Joseph Keeler, a recent Brigham Young Academy graduate. Minutes recorded by Fannie Rogers, secretary.

Dates: 1877

Polysophical Society records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231027233]
Identifier: UA 84
Scope and Contents

Includes minutes of the Polysophical Society 1892-1895; souvenir copies of the first Society meeting agenda; and several handwritten notes.

Dates: 1884-1939; Majority of material found within 1892-1895

Polysophical Society records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231035962]
Identifier: UA 226
Scope and Contents

Contains meeting minutes, programs, membership records, and party invitations. Also includes a brief history and correspondence from Herald R. Clark to Ernest L. Wilkinson concerning Polysophical Society as forerunner of lyceum course.

Dates: 1880-1895

Preparatory Department records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231035806]
Identifier: UA 235
Scope and Contents

Contains handwritten faculty meeting minutes with a partial typewritten transcript.

Dates: 1892-1898

President's Council records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231035111]
Identifier: UA 194
Scope and Contents

Contains original handwritten minutes and loose-leaf pages concerning role of President's Council, faculty, courses taught, and hours per week taught, 1898-1902. A bound, typewritten transcript is also included.

Dates: 1898-1902

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