James Edward Talmage papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0304

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The James Edward Talmage papers (1876-1933) consist of a resume of his private journals, correspondence and laboratory record books, spanning the career of Talmage as scientist, educator and LDS apostle. A summary of Talmage's private journals, which points out important entries, is first. The journals themselves are present on microfilm. Among Talmage's correspondence is a letter from Charles F. Wilcox regarding a skin pigmentation disorder in Native Americans, letters to Frank Tallmadge of Ohio regarding family history, and letters to various people regarding the Book of Mormon revision committee's recommendation. Also included are two laboratory notebooks detailing the results of experiments from 1905 to 1906.

Dates

1876-1933

Creator

Talmage, James E. (James Edward), 1862-1933 (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

James Edward Talmage (1876-1933) was a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and a prominent resident of Salt Lake City. His name remains important in matters of church doctrine and the relation of scientific approaches to LDS belief. Talmage was born on 21 September 1862, at Hungerford, Berkshire, England. His family moved to Salt Lake City when he was fourteen. He married Mary May Booth at the Manti Temple on 14 June 1888, and they had eight children. During the year his family came to Utah he enrolled at Brigham Young Academy and quickly became an instructor. Throughout his academic and professional life he ascended from honor to honor. He was engaged in advanced work in 1883 to 1884 at Johns Hopkins University. In 1890 he was given the honorary degree of Doctor of Science and Didactics by the LDS Church, in 1891 he received the degree of Bachelor of Science, in 1896 was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree by Illinois Wesleyan University and in 1912 the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Lehigh University. From 1884 to 1888 he was professor of geology and chemistry at Brigham Young Academy. From 1888 to 1893 he served as president of the Latter-day Saints College. He was president of the University of Utah, as well as a professor of geology, from 1894 to 1897. He resigned the presidency of the university, but continued as the chair of geology, and ten years later (1907) he resigned from the University to pursue a career in mining geology consulting. In the LDS Church he was also an achiever. He was baptized in 1873, and received the Aaronic Priesthood in the same year. He received the Melchizedek Priesthood in 1880. During various years he served as home missionary in Salt Lake City, and fulfilled his charge by presenting many lectures across the Wasatch Front. He was ordained a high priest in 1884. He was ordained an apostle in 1911 at the hands of LDS Church President, Joseph F. Smith, in which capacity he served until his death in 1933. Talmage authored a number of books on chemistry and geology, such as First Book of Nature, Domestic Science, Tables for Blowpipe Determination of Minerals, and The Great Salt Lake, Present and Past. Talmage is known popularly in the Church through his writing on religious subjects. His Jesus the Christ and Articles of Faith have set the tenor of orthodoxy for the past century of LDS theological thought. Others of his important religious works include The Great Apostasy, The House of the Lord, The Philosophical Basis of Mormonism, and The Vitality of Mormonism.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The James Edward Talmage papers (1876-1933) consist of a resume of Talmage's private journals, correspondence and laboratory record books, spanning his career as scientist, educator and LDS apostle.