Cluff, Benjamin, Jr., 1858-1948

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President of Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young University, 1892-1903.

From the description of Papers, 1900-1902. 1955. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 365099831

Kenney is a Mormon author and historian.

From the guide to the Scott G. Kenney research materials, 1820-1984, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Brigham Young Academy Principal 1892-1903.

From the description of Term record of the Brigham Young Academy commencing Jan. 28, 1884. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367311959

Scholar, educational administrator, explorer, second Principal of Brigham Young Academy and first president of Brigham Young University.

From the description of Theological Notes, 1882-1885. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122461262

Benjamin Cluff Jr. was a scholar, educational administrator, explorer, businessman, plantation owner, and president of Brigham Young Academy from 1892 to 1903. He served as a Mormon missionary in Hawaii, 1878-1882, and led an expedition of BYA students and faculty to Central America in 1900. He lived in Mexico as manager of a plantation for several years and then moved to California.

From the description of Photographs and correspondence, 1911-1943. (Brigham Young University). WorldCat record id: 51604887

Benjamin Cluff served as principle of Brigham Young Academy from 1892 to 1903. It was under Cluff's direction in 1903 that Brigham Young Academy became Brigham Young University.

From the description of Brigham Young University President's Records, 1892-1903. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83411948

Benjamin Cluff Jr. was president of Brigham Young Academy, 1892-1903. He resigned as president on 17 November 1903, shortly after the institution was renamed to Brigham Young University. His resignation took effect on 23 December 1903.

From the description of Letter, Provo, Utah to O. H. Berg, Provo, 1903. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84384410

Benjamin Cluff Jr. was a scholar, educational administrator, explorer, businessman, plantation owner, and president of Brigham Young Academy from 1892 to 1903. He served as a Mormon missionary in Hawaii, 1878-1882, and led an expedition of BYA students and faculty to Central America in 1900.

From the description of Diaries, 1881-1909. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122604888

Mormon scholar, educational administrator, explorer, businessman, and president of Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah from 1892 to 1903.

From the description of Letters, 1905-1906. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122652899

Benjamin Cluff Jr. (1858-1948) was an educator and businessman in Utah and California. He was principal of Brigham Young Academy and president of Brigham Young University from 1892 to 1903.

Benjamin Cluff Jr. was born in Provo, Utah on February 7, 1958 to Benjamin Cluff and Mary Ellen Foster. In 1877, Cluff enrolled in Brigham Young Academy and began working as a janitor to pay for his tuition. However, soon after he received a call to serve a mission to the Sandwich (Hawaiian) Islands. Returning to Utah in 1882, Cluff was offered a teaching job as an instructor of mathematics at Brigham Young Academy by Karl G. Maeser. In 1886, he attended the University of Michigan and received his Bachelor of Science in 1890. Upon his return to Utah, he became the assistant principal of the B.Y. Academy.

Cluff was married to Mary Jane John in 1883, and later entered into marriage with Harriet Cullimore in 1886 and Florence Mary Reynolds in 1898. He had twenty-one children with his three wives.

Under Cluff's direction, plans for a new building were begun and students selected white and blue as the school colors. Cluff returned to the University of Michigan for a master's degree in 1893, and became the principal of the academy when he returned to Utah. In 1895 Cluff's title was changed to President, and heads of departments were named principlas. He led an expedition of students to South America in 1900 for the purpose of archeological research. On October 3, 1903, the school became Brigham Young University. In December, Cluff resigned and took a position as superintendent of a rubber plantation in Mexico. The Cluffs returned to the United States in 1924 and opened a store in Southern California. Cluff died June 14, 1948, in Redondo Beach, California, at the age of ninety.

From the guide to the Benjamin Cluff diaries, 1881-1909, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

The Brigham Young University President (est. 1903) is the chief executive officer and general manager of the University.

Brigham Young University has had a president since Brigham Young Academy was changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. While the school was still called Brigham Young Academy the head officer was titled principal.

The Board of Trustees delegates to the University President the responsibility to conduct the operations of the institution and administer the policies enacted by the board. Since 1996, the President of the university has also been a General Authority of the Church.

Past and present Brigham Young University presidents include George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), and Cecil O. Samuelson (2003- ).

Benjamin Cluff, Jr. (1858-1948) was an educator and businessman in Utah and California. He was principal of Brigham Young Academy and president of Brigham Young University from 1892 to 1903.

Benjamin Cluff, Jr. was born in Provo, Utah on February 7, 1958 to Benjamin Cluff and Mary Ellen Foster. In 1877, Cluff enrolled in Brigham Young Academy and began working as a janitor to pay for his tuition. However, soon after he received a call to serve a mission to the Sandwich Islands. Returning to Utah in 1882, Cluff was offered a teaching job as an instructor of mathematics at Brigham Young Academy by Karl G. Maeser. In 1886, he attended the University of Michigan and received his Bachelor of Science in 1890. Upon his return to Utah, he became the assistant principal of the Brigham Young Academy.

Cluff was married to Mary Jane John in 1883, and later entered into marriage with Harriet Cullimore in 1886, and Florence Mary Reynolds in 1898. He had twenty-one children with his three wives.

Under Cluff's direction, plans for a new building were begun and students selected white and blue as the school colors. Cluff returned to the University of Michigan for a master's degree in 1893, and became the principal of the academy when he returned to Utah. In 1895 Cluff's title was changed to president, and heads of departments were named principals. He led an expedition of students to South America in 1900 for the purpose of archaeological research. On October 3, 1903, the school became Brigham Young University. In December, Cluff resigned and took a position as superintendent of a rubber plantation in Mexico. The Cluffs returned to the United States in 1924 and opened a store in Southern California. Cluff died June 14, 1948, in Redondo Beach, California.

The Peoples Canal Irrigation Company is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the Peoples Canal near Manila, Utah.

From the guide to the Office of the President correspondence, 1892-1903, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Benjamin Cluff Jr. (1858-1948) was an educator and businessman in Utah and California. He was principal of Brigham Young Academy and president of Brigham Young University from 1892 to 1903.

Benjamin Cluff Jr. was born in Provo, Utah on February 7, 1858 to Benjamin and Mary Ellen Cluff. After becoming a librarian in Coalville at the age of seventeen, Benjamin sought greater opportunity for learning in Provo at the Brigham Young Academy. Because he excelled at his studies, Cluff was soon employed as a Primary teacher at the Academy; he then continued his studies at the University of Michigan after a mission to the Pacific Islands. He received a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Michigan, then returned to the Academy as an assistant principal and teacher of mathematics. After replacing Karl G. Maeser as principal in 1892, Cluff led an expedition to South America in 1901 and then returned to guide the school's development into a University. Benjamin Cluff retired from BYU in December 1903 and died in 1948 as a California businessman.

From the guide to the Benjamin Cluff diary, 1901, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Benjamin Cluff, Jr. (1858-1948) succeeded Karl G. Maeser as the principal of Brigham Young Academy.

Benjamin Cluff, Jr. was born on 7 February 1858 in Provo, Utah to Benjamin Cluff and Mary Ellen Foster. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and served on a mission to Hawaii. In 1892, he succeeded Karl G. Maeser as the principal of Brigham Young Academy. In 1896, he was instrumental in partnering with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in sponsoring Brigham Young Academy. Under his reign, Brigham Young Academy became Brigham Young University. Cluff made many changes during his tenure at Brigham Young University, which included changing the class time from half an hour to an hour, adopting blue and white as the school colors, helping to encourage to first school newspaper, starting summer school, awarding the first student loans, creating the Alumni Association, and entering the univeristy into an intercollegiate sports system. Cluff retired in 1903. He died in Redondo, California on 14 June 1948.

From the guide to the Benjamin Cluff, Jr. letter, 1902, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Brigham Young University. Presidential photographs, 1875-2003. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948,. Benjamin Cluff diary. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Harvey, Millie Cluff, 1866-1947. Mildred Cluff Harvey papers, 1866-1947. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. Theological Notes, 1882-1885. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Brigham Young University. Dept. of Educational Leadership. Benjamin Cluff Jr. annual lecture, 2003. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Brigham Young Academy. [Academy Fund Day letter, 1899]. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Benjamin Cluff diary, 1901 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
creatorOf Kenney, Scott G., 1946-. Scott G. Kenney research materials, 1820-1984. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Tolton, Walter S., 1864-1950. Diary excerpt of the South American scientific expedition of the Brigham Young Academy, 1900-1902. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948,. Benjamin Cluff, Jr. letter. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. Papers, 1900-1902. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Jensen, J. Marinus (Jens Marinus), 1868-1945. History of Brigham Young University / J. Marinus Jensen et al. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. 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, '91-92. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Office of the President correspondence, 1892-1903 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Roberts, Eugene L. Benjamin Cluff, Jr. : a study of the life and labors of one of Utah's first school administrators / by Eugene L. Roberts and Mrs. Eldon Reed Cluff, 1947. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Photograph of Brigham Young Academy reunion, circa 1891-1895 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
creatorOf Student Loan Association of Utah. Records, 1891-1932. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Cox, Ray P., 1916-2006. Family papers, 1853-2004. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. Term record of the Brigham Young Academy commencing Jan. 28, 1884. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. Brigham Young University President's Records, 1892-1903. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Hanson, Paul Soren, 1875-1960. Paul Soren Hanson journal, 1900. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. Letter, Provo, Utah to O. H. Berg, Provo, 1903. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Fairbanks, John B. (John Boylston), 1855-1940. John B. Fairbanks diaries, 1877-1914. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Paul Soren Hanson journal, 1900 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Brigham Young University. Sketches of presidents, 1980s. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Photograph of Brigham Young Academy reunion, circa 1891-1895. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Magleby, Heber L., 1874-1941. Journals and correspondence of Heber L. Magleby during his time as a member of the Brigham Young Academy South American Expedition, 1900-1902. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Roberts, Eugene L., 1880-1953. Letters and a diary excerpt, 1890-1947. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Florence Mary Reynolds Cluff papers, 1934-1973 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. Letters, 1905-1906. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Brigham Young Academy. Records, 1876-1892. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Wolfe, Walter M. (Walter Matson), 1859-1932. Collection, 1887-[ca. 1983]. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. Photographs and correspondence, 1911-1943. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Ingram, Fern Cluff, 1885-. Fern Cluff Ingram oral history interview : Tape and transcript, 1980 April 5 and August 25 [sound recording] / conducted by Leonard R. Grover. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Keeler, Joseph B. (Joseph Brigham), 1855-1935. Collection, [ca. 1840-1990]. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Nelson, Parley Pratt. Papers, 1900-1903. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Cluff, Benjamin, 1858-1948. Diaries, 1881-1909. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Cluff, Florence Mary Reynolds, 1874-. Papers, 1934-1973. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Parley Pratt Nelson papers, 1900-1903 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Brigham Young University. Dept. of Educational Leadership. Benjamin Cluff Jr. annual lecture, 2003-. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Brigham Young University. Office of the President. Presidential reports, 1892-1949. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Kenney, Scott G., 1946-. Research collection, 1820-1984. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn National Society, Sons of Utah Pioneers. Honorary memberships for Brigham Young University presidents, 2005. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Benjamin Cluff, Jr. letter, 1902 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
creatorOf Tanner, Vasco M. (Vasco Myron), 1892-1989. Brigham Young Academy South American expedition papers, 1899-1975. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Photographs of BYU trustees, 1875-1975. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Brimhall, George H., 1852-1932. Records, 1872-1926. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Benjamin Cluff diaries, 1881-1909 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
creatorOf MS 2081, Woodruff, Emma Smith 1838-1912. Emma S. Woodruff collection 1832-1919 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn Orson F. Whitney collection, 1871-1931 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Lucile H. Ursenbach Mildred Cluff Harvey papers, 1866-1947 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
creatorOf Scott G. Kenney research materials, 1820-1984 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
referencedIn Maeser, Emil, 1864-1893. Papers, 1886-1893. Harold B. Lee Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Benson, Ezra T. (Ezra Taft), 1811-1869 person
associatedWith Berg, Ole Hendriksen, 1840-1919. person
associatedWith Brigham Young Academy corporateBody
associatedWith Brigham Young Academy. South American Expedition (1900-1901) corporateBody
associatedWith Brigham Young University. corporateBody
associatedWith Brigham Young University. Dept. of Educational Leadership. corporateBody
associatedWith Brigham Young University. Dept. of Educational Leadership. corporateBody
associatedWith Brigham Young University. Office of the President. corporateBody
associatedWith Brimhall, George H., 1852-1932. person
associatedWith Cannon, Frank J. person
associatedWith Cannon, George Q. (George Quayle), 1827-1901 person
associatedWith Cannon, John M. person
associatedWith Cannon, John M. person
associatedWith Christensen, Ross T., (Ross Taylor), 1918-1990. person
associatedWith Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints corporateBody
associatedWith Clayton, William, 1814-1879 person
associatedWith Cluff, Florence Mary Reynolds, 1874- person
associatedWith Coolbrith, Ina D. (Ina Donna), 1842? -1928 person
associatedWith Cox, Ray P., 1916-2006. person
associatedWith Fairbanks, John B. (John Boylston), 1855-1940. person
associatedWith Gates, Susa Young, 1856-1933 person
associatedWith Grant, Heber J. (Heber Jeddy), 1856-1945 person
associatedWith Hanson, Paul Soren, 1875-1960. person
associatedWith Harvey, Millie Cluff, 1866-1947. person
associatedWith Ingram, Fern Cluff, 1885- person
associatedWith Jensen, J. Marinus (Jens Marinus), 1868-1945. person
associatedWith Keeler, Joseph B. (Joseph Brigham), 1855-1935. person
associatedWith Kenney, Scott G., 1946- person
associatedWith Lambert, George C. (George Cannon), b. 1848 person
associatedWith Maeser, Emil, 1864-1893. person
associatedWith Magleby, Heber L., 1874-1941. person
associatedWith Missionary and Preparatory Building (Provo, Utah). corporateBody
associatedWith National Society, Sons of Utah Pioneers. corporateBody
associatedWith Nelson, Parley Pratt. person
associatedWith Peoples Canal Irrigation Company corporateBody
associatedWith Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry), 1857-1933 person
associatedWith Roberts, Eugene L., 1880-1953. person
associatedWith Smith, Joseph F. (Joseph Fielding), 1838-1918 person
associatedWith Smith, Julina L. (Julina Lambson), 1849-1936 person
associatedWith Smith, Levira A. (Levira Annette), 1842-1888 person
associatedWith Student Loan Association of Utah. corporateBody
associatedWith Tanner, Vasco M. (Vasco Myron), 1892-1989. person
associatedWith Tolton, Walter S., 1864-1950. person
associatedWith Ursenbach, Lucile H. person
associatedWith Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson), 1855-1931 person
associatedWith Wolfe, Walter M. (Walter Matson), 1859-1932. person
associatedWith Woodruff, Emma Smith 1838-1912 person
associatedWith Woodruff, Wilford, 1807-1898 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Central America
Central America
Mexico--Tabasco
Utah
Utah
Mexico--Tabasco
Mexico--Tabasco
Subject
Religion
Education
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Brigham Young Academy South American Expedition (1900-1901)
Church Educational System
Church government
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Universities and colleges
Correspondence
Diaries
Material Types
Mines and mineral resources
Mines and mineral resources
Missions and Missionaries
Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Mormon missionaries
Mormons
Mormons
Mormons
Mormons
Mormons
Mormons
Occupation
Authors
Activity

Person

Birth 1858-02-07

Death 1948-06-16

Male

English

Information

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