Thomas G. Alexander papers

The Brigham Young University Archives houses the professional papers of many faculty members who have taught at the university. Among these collections is the Thomas G. Alexander papers. Researchers interested in the teaching of history at Brigham Young University will find this collection enlightening.

Thomas G. Alexander (b. 1935) was a professor at Brigham Young University and authored a number of award winning books concerning Latter-day Saint and Utah history. Dr. Alexander was a professor of Utah history and American Environmental history at Brigham Young University from 1964 to 2004. He served in many positions at the University including as Lemuel Hardison Redd, Jr. Professor of Western History and as director of the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies.

The Thomas G. Alexander papers contain the professional and personal papers of Thomas G. Alexander, dated 1954-2009. The professional papers include correspondence, reports, minutes, articles, awards, manuscript drafts, newspaper articles, posters, photographs, questionnaires, outlines, and audiocassettes. These materials pertain to research, students, committees, professional organizations, and courses taught by Dr. Alexander. The personal papers pertain to the U.S. Army and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The collection is arranged into six series: I. Thomas G. Alexander correspondence, 1963-2009; II. Thomas G. Alexander publications records, 1964-2003; III. Thomas G. Alexander office records, 1954-2004; IV. Thomas G. Alexander personal papers, 1954-2005; V. Thomas G. Alexander Edgemont Stake records, 1978-1982; VI. Thomas G. Alexander teaching and subject records, 1960-2009.

The collection has the following restriction associated with it “materials shall be accessed by permission of Thomas G. Alexander until his death. Permission to access materials shall be granted by permission of Thomas G. Alexander’s wife or his daughter, Tracy Lee Alexander Zappala, for ten (10) years following the death of Thomas G. Alexander. If the L. Tom Perry Special Collections is unable to contact either his wife or daughter, then the University Archivist will make access decisions. Ten (10) years following the Thomas G. Alexander the materials will be available for research without restriction.”

A finding aid for the collection is available by clicking here.

If you would like to know more about the Thomas G. Alexander papers, please contact the University Archivist at (801) 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu.