Klaus J. Hansen papers
Collection
Identifier: ACCN 1532
Scope and Contents
The Klaus J. Hansen papers (1952-2011) include articles, book manuscripts, and reviews written by Hansen. Most of the books, articles and reviews pertain to the history of the LDS Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or LDS) and Hansen's particular specialty in this field, the political ramifications of the Council of Fifty in LDS History. Mixed with these writings are large amounts of correspondence between Hansen and editors and publishers concerning the publication of materials. Where possible, publishers of respective articles and reviews, with whom Hansen corresponded, have been noted in the folder descriptions of the inventory. Smaller portions of the collection include employment materials (correspondence, fellowships, grants, dean's reports, and other documents), class work at Wayne State University, and articles by other historians. Another section contains manuscript evaluations and correspondence concerning these evaluations which Hansen wrote for various editors and publishers. This collection also contains correspondence, articles drafts, essays, book contracts, historical society programs, letters of recommendation, and chapter drafts from books. These were the office files that Hansen had accumulated over the years when he was an assistant professor at Utah State (1965-1968) and Queen's University (1968-). In addition to providing a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a historian, the files also show the background work that goes into the publishing of a book and preparing for a conference.
Dates
- 1952-2011
Creator
- Hansen, Klaus J. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Conditions Governing Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Biographical Sketch
Klaus J. Hansen, born November 29, 1931 in Kiel, Germany, began his college studies at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he obtained both a B.A. in 1957 and an M.A. in 1959. The first few articles in the collection, particularly "Notes Towards a Definition of the Council of Fifty" (written with Alfred Bush), were written while Hansen attended BYU, but he wrote the bulk of his early manuscripts while pursuing his doctoral degree at Wayne State University (which he finished in 1963). Hansen's doctoral dissertation, The Kingdom of God in Mormon Thought and Practice, 1830-1896, is in the collection and stands as a precursor to his first book, Quest for Empire: The Political Kingdom of God and the Council of Fifty in Mormon History, published in 1966. Meanwhile, in December 1959 Hansen married Joan Patricia Dunn, and four children followed. After obtaining his Ph.D., Hansen taught history at Eastern Michigan University (1963); Ohio State University (1963-65); Utah State University (assistant professor of history, 1965-1968); and Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario (associate professor, 1968-1976; professor of history, 1976-). It was while Hansen taught at Utah State University that Quest for Empire was published. Later, at Queen's University, Hansen published a second book, Mormonism and American Culture (not included in the collection). A third book, Mormonism and the American Experience, followed in 1981. While working on his books, Hansen continued to write articles on Mormonism, American Millennialism, and Antebellum America; and he reviewed other writers' books and articles on similar subjects.
His interests in writing and teaching lead Hansen to participate in several organizations, including the American Historical Association, the Western History Association, and the Utah State Historical Society. He was awarded fellowships from Yale University (1974-1975) and the Canada Council (1974-1975), and won an Award of Merit from the American Association for
State and Local History and the Mormon History Association's Book Award for Quest for Empire. The collection was donated by Hansen in August 1995 while attending the Sunstone Symposium in Salt Lake City, continuing his engagement to American history and Mormon history in particular.
His interests in writing and teaching lead Hansen to participate in several organizations, including the American Historical Association, the Western History Association, and the Utah State Historical Society. He was awarded fellowships from Yale University (1974-1975) and the Canada Council (1974-1975), and won an Award of Merit from the American Association for
State and Local History and the Mormon History Association's Book Award for Quest for Empire. The collection was donated by Hansen in August 1995 while attending the Sunstone Symposium in Salt Lake City, continuing his engagement to American history and Mormon history in particular.
Extent
16 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
German
Abstract
The Klaus J. Hansen papers (1952-2011) includes articles, book manuscripts, a doctoral dissertation, and reviews written by Hansen mostly pertaining to the history of the LDS Church and the political ramifications of the Council of Fifty in LDS history. Included are correspondence between Hansen and editors and publishers concerning the publication of his work. Also included are employment materials, class work at Wayne State University, and articles written by others. In addition, the papers include evaluations of manuscripts written by others and correspondence concerning these evaluations which Hansen wrote for various editors and publishers. LDS historian and author. Currently he is professor of history at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Boxes 1-11 were donated in 1995 (5.25 linear feet).
Boxes 12-21 were donated in 2000 (4.75 linear feet).
Boxes 12-21 were donated in 2000 (4.75 linear feet).
Processing Information
Processed by Tad Davies in 1995.
Addenda processed by Luke Kelly in 2000 and by Braxton Utley in 2016.
Addenda processed by Luke Kelly in 2000 and by Braxton Utley in 2016.
- Correspondence
- Council of Fifty (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
- Dissertations
- Drafts (documents)
- Hansen, Klaus J. -- Archives
- Kingdom of God (Latter Day Saint doctrine)
- Latter Day Saint authors
- Latter Day Saint churches -- History
- Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
- Reviews (Criticism)
Creator
- Hansen, Klaus J. (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Klaus J. Hansen papers
- Author
- Finding aid created by Tad Davies.
- Date
- 1995 (last modified: 2016 and 2020)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2000: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Luke Kelly.
- 2016: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Braxton Utley in 2016.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu