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Maeser, Karl G.

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1828 - 1901

Biographical History

Karl G. Maeser (1828-1901) was a well-renowned educator and principal in Utah, particularly respected for his integral role in establishing the theme and focus of Brigham Young Academy.

Maeser was born in Saxony, Germany in January 1828. Maeser went to school in Germany and gained training in teaching. He worked as a teacher and private tutor in and around Germany. Karl G. Maeser married Anna Mieth in 1854. Maeser was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1855. He left Germany in 1856 for the United States and arrived in Utah in 1860.

Karl G. Maeser was the second principal of Brigham Young Academy and served from 1876 until 1892. Under Maeser, Brigham Young Academy established itself as one of the leading schools in Utah territory. Maeser placed the development of character above the development of intellect. In matters of morals and religious conduct, he saw things as black and white. He devised for Brigham Young Academy an intricate system of rules, regulations, and academic routine all designed to form habits of proper conduct.

In 1888 Maeser was made the first General Superintendent of Church Schools as part of the General Board of Education of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maeser Published a book entitled "School and Fireside" in 1898 which reflected his views on education. He died in February 1901.

Citation:
Cundick, R. The brothers, c1986: t.p. (a musical play in one act based on the life of Karl G. Maeser)

Sunday school work, 1892: t.p. (Karl G. Maeser)

Online Utah, via WWW, July 14, 2004 (Karl Gottfried Maeser; the first principal of Brigham Young Univ. [i.e. Brigham Young Academy] and general superintendent of the LDS Church school system; b. 16 Jan. 1828 in Saxony, Germany; d. 15 Feb. 1901)

OCLC, March 19, 2004 (hdg.: Maeser, Karl Gottfried, 1828-1901; usage: Karl G. Maeser)

Wikipedia, via WWW, Sept. 30, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser; Karl Gottfried Maeser; b. Jan. 16, 1828 in Meissen, Germany; d. Feb. 15, 1901 in Salt Lake City, Utah; Utah educator; member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; m. 1854 to Anna Mieth; served as missionary in England, Scotland, Penn., Switzerland, Calif.; m. 1875 to Emilie Damke)

Utah History Encyclopedia, via WWW, viewed Mar. 20, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser, b. Jan 1928 Saxony Germany, d. Feb 1901, schooling in Germany, taught and tutored in Germany, m. Anna Mieth 1854, baptized LDS 1855, left Germany 1856, arrived in Utah 1860, second principal of BYA 1876-1892, 1888 General Superintendent of Church Schools-General Board of Education of the LDS church, School and Fireside 1898)

Office of the President, viewed Mar. 20, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser, BYA leading schools in Utah territory, development of character over intellect, moral and religious conduct viewed as black and white, devised system of rules regulations and routine for proper conduct at BYA)

Found in 17 Collections and/or Records:

George Q. Cannon letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230322395]
Identifier: MSS SC 2340
Scope and Contents

Typewritten letter addressed "to Presidents of Stakes, Bishops, and Stake Superintendents of Sunday Schools." The item expresses faith in the Sunday School system of the Mormon Church and states that it will help the membership earn their salvation. The letter was signed by Cannon, George Goddard, and Karl G. Maeser as members of the General Superintendency of Sunday School for the Mormon Church. The signatures were placed on the item by some form of mechanical reproducing process.

Dates: 1897

Zina Presendia Young Williams Card papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 1421
Abstract

Correspondence, autobiographical and biographical materials, patriarchal blessings, legal documents, news articles, and miscellaneous items. The materials document the life and career of Card including her affiliation with Brigham Young Academy, the Mormon Church, and various civic organizations. The items also relate to the towns of Cardston, Alberta; Logan, Utah; and Provo, Utah. Also included is correspondence with various Mormon Church leaders and that of her husband, Charles O. Card.

Dates: 1881-1930

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints German-Austrian mission photographs and papers

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231189967]
Identifier: MSS 4178
Abstract

Photographs and and other papers related to the LDS German Austrian mission, 1846-1928.

Dates: 1846-1928

Collection of chalkboards

 Collection
Identifier: UA 5666
Scope and Contents

Contains three chalkboards with inscriptions by Karl G. Maeser from 1900. Text dates from November 9, 1900.

Dates: 1900 November 9

Correspondence, 1881-1930

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1421 Series 1
Scope and Contents From the Collection: The Zina Young Williams Card collection is a valuable source of primary materials dealing with the early history of Logan, Utah and Cardston, Alberta, Canada. It also contains some documents related to her life in Provo, Utah and her affiliation with the educational institutions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in that day, particularly the Brigham Young Academy at Provo.The personal correspondence of Zina Young Williams Card covers the period from 1881 to 1930....
Dates: 1881-1930

General Church Board of Education certificate

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230342260]
Identifier: MSS 260
Scope and Contents

Printed and handwritten certificate. The item is a license which authorizes Hyrum H. Anderson to teach religion classes for the Mormon Church in Provo, Utah. The item was signed by the president of the Mormon Church, Wilford Woodruff, and by George Reynolds and Karl G. Maeser.

Dates: 1892

William Lawrence Hansen photograph album

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9171
Scope and Contents Photograph album that was likely used by William Lawrence Hansen while serving in the Swiss and German Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1887 to 1890. Many of the photographs are unidentified cabinet card albumen portraits of individuals and families taken in various studios across England, Denmark, Switzerland and Germany. These are likely missionaries or members that Hansen met on his mission. Within the album is included cabinet card albumen portraits from...
Dates: approximately 1887-1890

Elisha Jones papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2870
Scope and Contents Includes diary, notebook, and lecture report. Diary begins with ten-page reminiscence, 1858. Sporadic diary entries are dated 1858-1879. Notes, some dating as late as 1885 (after Elisha's death), interspersed throughout volume. Volume also includes two pages of minutes to a high priest's quorum meeting, 23 October 1860, presumably held in Sanpete County; and several pages listing family names. Notebook, without covers, contains financial entries dated about 1872-1880. Last item is a...
Dates: 1858-1880

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 letter to John D. Williams

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231238194]
Identifier: MSS 7664
Scope and Contents

Letter from Karl G. Maeser to Elder John D. Williams. The letter discusses Elder Williams' recent appointment as Superintendent of Religious Classes of Parowan Stake and his responsibilities. It also reminds Elder Williams of the reporting requirements of the position.

Dates: 1893