Lowell L. Bennion papers
Collection
Identifier: ACCN 1065
Scope and Contents
The Lowell L. Bennion papers (1928-1987) contain several articles and speeches that Bennion wrote and parts of some of his books. A copy of part of his missionary journal is also in the collection.
Dates
- 1928-1987
Creator
- Bennion, Lowell L., 1908-1996 (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
Lowell Lindsay Bennion (1908-1996) was a well known LDS scholar and humanitarian. He was born in Salt Lake City to Milton Bennion and Cora Lindsay Bennion. He attended the University of Utah and graduated in 1928. That same year he married Merle Colton and soon after was called on a mission to Germany, one of the last young LDS missionaries to be called while married. He continued to study in Germany after his mission ended and was heavily influenced by the ideas of Max Weber. When Bennion returned to the United States in 1934, he became the first director of the brand-new LDS Institute of Religion at the University of Utah. He influenced a whole generation of LDS college students in Salt Lake City. In the 1960s however, he clashed with LDS Church authorities over the issue of African-Americans being denied the priesthood. He was fired from his position in 1962. Although hurt deeply, he refused to say anything bitter and encouraged his students to not protest his release. Bennion was quickly hired as Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Utah and as a Professor of Sociology. He continued to work at the university until 1972 when he became Executive Director of the Salt Lake Area Community Services Council. During his eighteen years with Community Services, he helped establish the Utah Food Bank and helped get volunteers directly involved in helping individuals. In 1986, the University of Utah established the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center in his honor. The center promotes student humanitarian service to those in the community. Bennion continued to work and volunteer until a few years before his death in Salt Lake City in 1996.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Lowell L. Bennion papers (1928-1987) contain many articles and speeches that Bennion wrote, as well as a portion of Bennion's missionary diary. Bennion (1908-1996) was the first director of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) Institute at the University of Utah. He was also a major leader in humanitarian service and the University of Utah's Lowell Bennion Service Center is named in his honor.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Eugene England in 1989.
Separated Materials
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division (P0650) of Special Collections.
Processing Information
Processed by Manuscripts Division staff.
Creator
- Bennion, Lowell L., 1908-1996 (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Lowell L. Bennion papers
- Author
- Finding aid created by Manuscript Division staff.
- Date
- 2007 (last modified: 2019)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
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