Henry A. Smith papers
Content Description
Contains papers, photographs, and correspondence related to the life and career of Smith. Dated approximately 1910-2002.
Dates
- approximately 1910-2002
Creator
- Smith, Henry A. (Henry Allen), 1907-1984 (creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Photographs: Open for public research. Items kept in cold storage; access requires 24 hours advance notice.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Henry A. Smith papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
Henry A. Smith (1907-1984) was the a newspaper editor and press secretary in Utah.
Henry A. Smith was born May 10, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to parents William Henry and Mary Chrlotte Jenkins Smith. He started working at the Deseret News in 1925 as a copy boy, eventually working his way up to the position of church reporter. He married Anne Lovell Wager on June 30, 1926. In 1931, he was named the editor of a new section of the Deseret News, the Church News. Though he initially was the only staff member for the publication, it grew under his leadership until it reached approximately 200,000 homes. He also authored two books: Matthew Cowley: Man of Faith and The Day They Martyred the Prophet. In 1968, the First Presidency appointed him press secretary of the church. He graveled extensively with general authorities and became an important confidant for them. Henry died on June 24, 1984 in Salt Lake City.
Henry participated in a lifetime of church service, serving as stake president in the Pioneer Stake. From 1955 to 1958 he served as the mission president for the Central Atlantic States mission.
Extent
8 boxes (4 linear ft.)
1 oversize boxes (0.5 linear ft.)
3 oversize folders (0.6 linear ft)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arranged into five series: 1. Personal and family papers. 2. Life history. 3. Papers on newspaper career. 4. Papers on The Miracle of Cumorah. 5. Church papers on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1925-1982.
Custodial History
Materials were given to Lorelei B. Waddel, Henry's granddaughter, by Kathryn Smith Brown and Myrna Smith in June 2014. Materials were donated to the repository by Lorelei B. Waddel in August 2014.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Lorelei B. Waddel; August 2014.
Appraisal
Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy 5.V, August 2007).
Processing Information
Processed; Hannah Waddel; September 2014.
- Photographs relating to Henry's mission and career were deaccessioned.
- Genealogical family group records.
- Title
- Register of Henry A. Smith papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Hannah Waddel
- Date
- 2014 September 15
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States