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Harris, Franklin Stewart, 1884-1960

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1884 - 1960

Biographical History

Franklin Stewart Harris (1884-1960) was President of Brigham Young University from 1921 to 1945. During that time he helped the university grow both physically, with adding new buildings and also intellectually by hiring more teachers and establishing international connections for the University.

Franklin Stewart Harris was born August 29, 1884 in Benjamin, Utah. He moved with his family to the state of Chihuahua, Mexico in the 1890s to the colonies there. He would study at Brigham Young University and go on to Cornell to receive his doctorate. Harris served as president of Brigham Young University from 1921 until 1945. His administration was characterized by improvement in academics and by growth of the University's physical facilities, such as the construction of the Heber J. Grant Library building. Even with the financial pressures of the Great Depression from the late 1920s to the 1930s, Harris was able to help increase Brigham Young University attendance, library and campus facilities.

In 1945 Harris left Brigham Young University to be the president of the Utah State Agricultural College (what is now Utah State University). He died April 18, 1960 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:
LCCN 24-22058: His Scientific research and human welfare, 1924 (hdg.: Harris, Franklin Stewart, 1884-1960; usage: Franklin Stewart Harris)

The many lives of Franklin S. Harris, [2003], ©2003: t.p. (Franklin S. Harris) p.1 (b. 29 August 1884, Benjamin, Utah) p.341 (d. 18 April 1960, Salt Lake City, Utah)

Wikipedia, website viewed 20 May 2011 (Franklin S. Harris; Franklin Stewart Harris; b. August 29, 1884 in Benjamin, Utah Territory, United States; d. April 18, 1960; president of Brigham Young University 1921-1945; president of Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) 1945-1950; agricultural scientist; doctorate from Cornell University; professor and head of the agricultural experiment station at Utah State Agriculrural College; undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University; childhood in the Colonies in Chihuahua, Mexico; candidate for United States Senate in Utah in 1938; General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1923; mission to Japan in 1926; mission to Syria in 1927)

Brigham Young University Office of the President, May 28, 2014 (Past Presidents; president from 1921-1945)

BYU Magazine, May 28, 2014 (Franklin S. Harris; administration characterized by improvement in academics; increased attendance, library, and facilities)

Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 4, 1941: p. 240 (moved to Chihuahua, Mexico in the 1890s; studied at Brigham Young University and Cornell University)

Found in 111 Collections and/or Records:

Kiefer B. Sauls papers on Russia, 1929-1969

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 340 Series 2 Sub-Series 4 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, writings, clippings, and other materials related to the Biro-Bidjan Colonization Project in Birobidzhan, Russia. Materials date from approximately 1929 to 1969.

Dates: 1929-1969

L. Tom Perry Special Collections exhibit prints

 Collection
Identifier: MSS P 17
Scope and Contents

Contains oversized prints from the collections of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections that were used in exhibits. All photographs in the collection were produced from negatives in the respective collections of each photographer. Materials dated approximately 1860-1930.

Dates: approximately 1860-1930

North Fork Investment Company letter to Franklin Stewart Harris

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232590866]
Identifier: UA 254
Scope and Contents

Letter to Harris that had accompanied the deed for ten acres at Aspen Grove, Utah. Written on stationery from Stewart and Stewart, and signed by Scott P. Stewart. Letter dated October 15, 1921.

Dates: 1921 October 15

Office of the President budget and finance records, 1922-1945

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 2
Scope and Contents Contains the budget reports from 1922 to 1945 for Brigham Young University. These include the budget estimates and final decisions on budgets for departments, facilities, and all other campus organizations after 1922. Included with these are the yearly summaries of all financial activity by department and organization. The reports cover all aspects of running the University, tuition, grants, teachers salaries and retirement benefits, and maintenance. Also included are the value estimates for...
Dates: 1922-1945

Office of the President general correspondence, 1921-1945

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 1
Scope and Contents Contains the correspondence between Brigham Young University President Franklin S. Harris from his time as president from 1921-1945. Some correspondence contains the response from Harris. On average each year is divided into A-H, I-M, and N-Z. Among those that Harris corresponded with are President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints Heber J. Grant and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, United States Senators and Representatives, educational leaders across the...
Dates: 1921-1945

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and other material produced by Harris during his term as president of Brigham Young University from 1921 to 1945. Among his papers are financial and budget papers related to his years as president, materials related to Brigham Young University facilities maintenance and construction, and materials related to Brigham Young University during World War II.

Dates: 1921-1945

Office of the President records on campus facilities, 1929-1937

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 4
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to campus facilites at Brigham Young University from 1929-1934. Buildings that are mentioned include the building of the Brimhall Building, the Heber J. Grant Building, the Stadium House, and associated ticket sales and the development of the Aspen Grove complex that is located in Provo Canyon. Also addressed are details such as fire houses, building flooring, and laundry services for the campus facilities. The records for the buildings built during Harris' time as...
Dates: 1929-1937

Office of the President records on World War II, 1943-1945

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 3
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to Brigham Young University during World War II, through correspondence and reports from Brigham Young University President Franklin S. Harris. The reports include office candidate school and technical programs run on campus to prepare students to serve in the military and reference letters to military branches written by Harris recommending students to officer training programs. Also included are reports outlining the effects of the mobilization for the war on...
Dates: 1943-1945

Office of the President reports

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 726
Scope and Contents

Includes information on enrollment, academic courses and curriculum, finances, buildings, and real estate. Includes reports from Presidents Cluff, Brimhall, Harris, Nuttall (Acting), Jensen (Acting), and McDonald.

Dates: 1892-1949

Oral history interview with Carlton Culmsee

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 71
Scope and Contents

Interview by Oliver Smith with Carlton Culmsee regarding his family background, his schooling, his work at Brigham Young University with the development of the journalism department, publicity, and the BYU Extension division; and his work at Utah State University as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Includes transcript and sound recording.

Dates: 1981