Benjamin Cluff, Jr. and Brigham Young University
Introduction
Brigham Young University is a private university that seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continuing learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Tracing its roots to Utah's rich pioneer heritage and to Brigham Young Academy, the original school established in 1875, the university continues to provide an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Benjamin Cluff, Jr. served as principal of Brigham Young Academy from 1892 to 1903. He became president of Brigham Young Academy in 1903 when the academy was granted the title of university. His remarkable impact on Brigham Young University can be uncovered through many of the collections held in the University Archives. The following source materials can get you started on your exploration of Benjamin Cluff, Jr.'s legacy.
Secondary Sources and General information
Collections held by the University Archives will be more useful to your specific research topic after you understand more about the general history of the university. The following resources are available to help you develop that understanding:
- Histories of Brigham Young University with Information on Benjamin Cluff, Jr.
- Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes) Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975 (see the index for Hinckley, Edwin S.)
- Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976 (see the index for Hinckley, Edwin S.)
- Roberts, Eugene Lusk Benjamin Cluff, Jr.: scholar, educational administrator and explorer, second principal of Brigham Young Academy, and first president of Brigham Young University; a study of the life and labors of one of Utah's first school administrators [s.l.], 1947
- Sample collections dealing with Benjamin Cluff, Jr.
A sample of the materials that contain information about Benjamin Cluff, Jr. follows. To map out a research strategy, please schedule an appointment with the University Archivist at 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu for additional help in discovering what other collections we may have that pertain to your research topic.
- Benjamin Cluff materials
- UA 946 Presidential photographs, 1875-2003 Collection contains photographs of the presidents of Brigham Young University from 1875 to 2003. The photographs are of the presidents, their families, homes, offices, and colleagues.
- UA 326 Annual report of the principal of the Brigham Young Academy : To the Board of Trustees and Stake Board of Education, for the sixteenth academic year, 1891-92 Includes the president's report of the faculty, students, curricula, facilities, and finances for 1891-1892.
- UA 135 Benjamin Cluff Papers, 1900-1902 Scrapbook containing newspaper articles (photocopy) concerning the Brigham Young Academy South American Expedition, and The Brigham Young Alumnus.
- UA 1013 Benjamin Cluff Photographs and correspondence, 1911-1943 Among the photographs is a family picture of the Benjamin and Harriett Cluff family. Correspondence is between Cluff and his son, Cyril, as well as Cluff and the Utah-Mexican Rubber Company.
- UA 1093 Benjamin Cluff Records, 1892-1903 Includes correspondence, reports, building contracts and letter press books, correspondence with General Authorities of the LDS Church, educators, students, faculty, and prospective faculty. Concerns such subjects as BYA South American Expedition, establishment of BYA Beaver Branch, equal accreditation with the University of Utah, financing, salaries, recommendation to introduce graduate level instruction in pedagogy and psychology, raising standards of the academy, sabbatical leaves, summer school libraries, fund drive of 1899, and President's report for 1899-1900.
- UA 220 Benjamin Cluff. Term record of the Brigham Young Academy commencing Jan. 28, 1884 Collection includes term records of students enrolled at Brigham Young Academy.
- UA 191 Benjamin Cluff. Theological notes, 1882-1885 Collection includes notes on theology, articles by Cluff, education notes, world situation notes, and titles of library books.
- MSS SC 2538 Benjamin Cluff Letters, 1905-1906 Handwritten and signed letters addressed to a friend only identified as "Bagley." The items were written when Cluff was living in Tabasco, Mexico. Cluff offers sympathy to his friend at the death of his wife and writes about other personal and business matters.
- MSS SC 2922 Benjamin Cluff Letter (Provo, Utah) to O. H. Berg (Provo, Utah), 1903 Invitation to O. H. Berg, bishop of the Provo 1st Ward (Latter-day Saint), to attend groundbreaking ceremonies for a building to house preparatory and missionary schools on the Brigham Young University campus.
- 082 A1 no. 375 Cluff, Benjamin Myths and traditions of the Hawaiians
- UA 598 [Academy Fund Day letter, 1899] Form letter created by George Q. Cannon and Benjamin Cluff announcing "Academy Fund Day,"in order to solicit contributions for the Brigham Young Academy.
- UA 1074 Dept. of Educational Leadership. Benjamin Cluff Jr. annual lecture, 2003- Collection includes a program from the inaugural Benjamin Cluff Jr. Annual Lecture, the featured essay for 2003 and a newspaper article about Chieko N. Okazaki's inaugural address.
- MSS 1667 Benjamin Cluff Diaries, 1881-1909 This collection consists of four diaries. The earliest of these, 1881-1886, covers the time when Cluff was a student at Brigham Young Academy. The volume covering 1886-1900 relates his experiences as a student at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and as president of Brigham Young Academy. The remaining two volumes, 1 Jan.-21 Aug. 1904 and 1906-1909, describe his activities and experiences as a plantation owner in Tabasco, Mexico.
- Sample of materials related to Benjamin Cluff
- UA 363 Magleby, Heber L. Journals and correspondence of Heber L. Magleby during his time as a member of the Brigham Young Academy South American Expedition, 1900-1902 Journals and correspondence documenting Heber L. Magleby's experience with the Brigham Young Academy South American Expedition
- UA 368 Walter S. Diary excerpt of the South American scientific expedition of the Brigham Young Academy, 1900-1902 Contains a typescript of journal of the BYA South American Expedition and correspondence concerning the Tolton family genealogy
- UA 366 Wolfe, Walter M. Collection, 1887-[ca. 1983] Includes detailed journals, 1900-1901; copies of numerous articles by him, 1887-1905; and biographical information. Journals were recorded during the Brigham Young Academy South American Expedition. Collection includes transcriptions of the journals.
- MSS OH 458 Fern Cluff Ingram oral history interview : Tape and transcript, 1980 April 5 and August 25 sound recording Interview conducted with Fern Cluff Ingram concerning her childhood in a Latter-day Saint polygamous family, her relationships with her father and the plural wives, their attitudes toward polygamy, experiences of her father, Benjamin Cluff, and her life in Colonia Diaz and Tabasco, Mexico.
- MSS 2546 Florence Mary Reynolds Cluff, 1934-1973 Florence Mary Reynolds was born in Salt Lake City, UT., on July 13, 1874. She attended the Brigham Young Academy where she was a student of Benjamin Cluff, Jr. Cluff later hired her to care for his first wife's children. She became Cluff's third wife in 1896.
- MSS 2261 Parley Pratt Nelson Papers, 1900-1903 The collection contains photocopies of (1) Journal of Parley P. Nelson as a student participant Brigham Young Academy Benjamin Cluff Expedition from April to August 1900; (2) Journal of Parley P. Nelson on mission in Southern California and after he returned home (10 September 1901-9 January 1903).
- Benjamin Cluff materials
This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives. To examine the complete collection inventory (and any other additional manuscript materials related to this topic), go to the L. Tom Perry Special Collections EAD Search page, and enter the term "Benjamin Cluff".