Harold B. Lee Library

Brigham Young University and the Department of French and Italian

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. Brigham Young University’s remarkable history 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 Brigham Young University’s Department of French and Italian.

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
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen. Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny.  Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976.
  • Butterworth, Edwin Jr. Brigham Young University: 1,000 Views of 100 Years. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.

Primary Sources

• Sample materials dealing with the Brigham Young University Department of French and Italian: A sample of the materials that contain information about BYU’s Department of French and Italian. 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.
  • UA 1043 Records, 1962-1997 This collection has four series. The first series–Karen Pierotti–contains records kept by the department secretary. It includes correspondence of the Dean, old French exams for French 101, 102, and graduate students. There are also pamphlets and reports regarding language instruction in the schools and at the Missionary Training Center. Karen Pierotti also kept records of the department faculty meetings and the advisory council meetings. The second series–Jennifer Malroney–were kept by another department secretary. This series has correspondence with BYU, other universities, prospective faculty, and students. It also holds the department chair records for Thomas (Tom) Brown. The third series–Madison U. Sowell–holds the records of his career as a professor and as department chair of the French and Italian Department. His professional records includes student letters of recommendation; correspondence with BYU administration, department faculty, students, other universities, and professional correspondence with publishing companies; the Italian Club Newsletter L’Aurora; Honors Program class notes and information; and notes and information for the General Education Council he served on. The fourth and final series–L. Gary Lambert–contains research notes on French authors and French literature, course and teacher evaluations for both French and Religion classes, French course drafts and manuals written by Lambert, Correspondence–personal and professional, study abroad notes, and doctoral dissertation notes and research.
• The following items are restricted.  Please contact the University Archivist for more information regarding access to these collections.
  • UA 1190 Records, 1960-1999 This collection includes test information, meeting minutes, GPA summaries, class lists, and correspondence. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
  • UA 1366 Brigham Young University Dept. of French and Italian records, 1960-2002 This collection contains information pertaining to faculty members of the Department of French and Italian. Included are Department memos, correspondence, and personal faculty information. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
• Sample materials related to the Department of French and Italian:
  • MSS 6255 Harold Willey Lee papers The Harold Willey Lee papers contain Harold Willey Lee’s research notes in the forms of papers and note cards. Harold Willey Lee was a professor at BYU and taught French, Spanish, Italian and Latin. Included in the collection is an overview of French authors and poets, the study of various works, his possible papers and his research for his PhD thesis. Much of his work is in French.
  • MSS 6165 Wilfried Decoo research papers Personal notes and research material of French graduate student Wilfried Decoo’s “A The Image of Mormonism in French Literature,” an unfinished third part of his BYU Studies series. Materials include French literature articles; French newspaper articles; his notes; and other French literature.
  • MSS 6137 Series 2 Josette B. Ashford papers, circa 1951-1990 Contains course materials from her time as a professor of French and Italian, including linguistics research and publications, handouts, articles, news clippings, poetry, and literary/linguistic analysis note card files.

This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives that document the history of the Brigham Young University Department of French and Italian. Be sure to visit Special Collections to discover other material.