Maeser, Karl G.
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 54 Collections and/or Records:
Oral history interview with Evelyn Crandall
Interview by Hollis Scott with Eva Maeser Crandall, concerning her father, Karl G. Maeser, her childhood in Provo, her memories of Brigham Young Academy, students and faculty of Brigham Young Academy. Includes transcript and sound recordings.
Oral history interview with Sarah Fletcher Jones
Interview by Hollis Scott with Sarah F. Jones, concerning her experiences at the Brigham Young Academy in the 1880s and as a resident of Provo, Utah. Includes transcript and sound recording.
John Rockey Park diary
Typescript of a diary with handwritten corrections. Also included are photocopies of the handwritten original diary. Park writes about visits to the University of Deseret by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Brigham Young and Orson Pratt, tells about hiring Karl G. Maeser, and describes educational financing and the nature of education in Utah.
Photographs of Brigham Young University
Collection includes forty-two photographs of buildings on the campus of Brigham Young University, as well as a few photographs of its founders, Mormon leaders, and other scenes from around Provo, Utah. The range of years which the photographs cover clearly shows the development of the BYU campus over time. Some of the photos are of suggested campus development plans from the years 1948 and 1956. The collection also includes a campus map from 1961.
Photographs of university trustees
Contains thirty-nine black-and-white photographs of presidents of the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young Academy and University; also views of chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of BYU. Also includes view of Karl G. Maeser's wife, Anna.
Polysophical Society minutes
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.
President Karl G. Maeser with faculty at warehouse school, 1891
Principal's Office correspondence, 1878-1889
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.
Reminiscences of Brigham Young Academy
Contains an article on the origin of the Music department by Susa Young Gates; recollections of teaching in the Primary department by Anna Smoot Taylor; a brief overview of the Ladies Work department by Jennie Tanner; and a tribute to A. O. Smoot (authorship unknown).
A. LeGrand Richards collection on Karl G. Maeser
Collection contains photocopies, transcripts, and translations of German articles pertaining to Karl G. Maeser collected by A. LeGrand Richards. The articles pertain to the associations Maeser had with teaching organizations and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1851 to 1856 in Germany.