Karl G. Maeser

Karl G. Maeser
Principal of Brigham Young Academy  (later becoming Brigham Young University)
In office August 1876 – January 1892
Preceded by	Warren Newton Dusenberry
Succeeded by	Benjamin Cluff
Personal details
Born	January 16, 1828 Meissen, Germany
Died	February 15, 1901 (aged 73) Salt Lake City, Utah
Spouse(s)	Anna Mieth Emilie Damke
Children	Reinhard Karl Gustav Franklin Anna Ottilie Anna Camilla Karl Emil Helen Jeanette (Nettie) Evelyn (Eva) Anna Christina

Karl Gottfried Maeser (January 16, 1828 – February 15, 1901) was a prominent Utah educator and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He served 16 years as principal of Brigham Young Academy,^[1][2] and is considered its true founder. The Academy later became Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1903.^[2]

Maeser served as a missionary for the LDS Church in four nations and held many leadership positions in the church, including serving as the head of the Church Educational System and in the central leadership of the Sunday School. His educational philosophies shaped Brigham Young Academy and other church acadamies throughout Utah.

Early life

The house where Karl G. Maeser was born

Karl G. Maeser was born on January 16, 1828 in Meissen, Saxony, Germany to Johann Gottfried and Federicka Zocher Maeser.^[3]:2 Maeser was the oldest of four sons. His family was well-known in Meissen.^[4] His father was a china painter in a porcelain shop. Maeser went to public school in Meissen. He temporarily lost his sight for 8 months when he was 11 years old.^[3]:3

In 1842, Maeser enrolled in the Kreuzschule in Dresden;^[4]:2 he attended for two years, and graduating from the Kreuzschule could have propelled him into the German upper class.^[3]:11–12 However, Maeser chose to study at Freidrichtstadt Schullehrerseminar in Dresden, a school to train prospective teachers.^[5]:82 He graduated on May 20, 1848.^[3]:1 Maeser became a schoolteacher and tutored Protestant children in Bohemia for three years.^[5]:83 He returned to Dresden and was a teacher at the First District School in Dresden. He later taught at the Budich Institute, where he was made headmaster.^[5]:83–84

In December 1848, Maeser was required to enlist in the military for a two-year assignment; however, he was declared "unfit."^[3]:40 On June 11, 1854, Maeser married Anna Mieth, the daughter of the director of the First District school in Dresden.^[3]:51 The couple had their first child, Reinhard, in 1855.^[6] They had eight children together.^[3]:438

Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Conversion

While teaching at the Budich Institute, Maeser came across Die Mormonen, an anti-Mormon book, by Moritz Busch.^[3]:84 He and Edward Schoenfield, Maeser's brother-in-law and fellow teacher, decided to investigate the beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maeser wrote letters to missionaries of the church, until missionary William Budge volunteered to go to Maeser's home to teach him and answer his questions. Both Maeser and Schoenfield joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.^[5]:84–86 Maeser was baptized by Franklin D. Richards and Budge on October 14, 1855 in the Elbe River. Maeser was baptized at night because the church was banned in Germany at that time.^[6][7] Maeser was the first Mormon baptized in Saxony.^[5]:88 His wife, Anna, was baptized shortly after on October 19. The following Sunday, a new branch of the church was established in Dresden, and Maeser became the first president.^[3]:109 He and his family were forced to leave Germany in July 1856 and would eventually travel to Salt Lake City, where Latter-day Saints were gathering.^{[3]:125[5]:88}

Missionary service

After being exiled from Germany, the Maesers went to London in June 1856,^[4] where they were welcomed by members of the church. Maeser was called to serve a German-speaking mission in London in July 1856.^{[3]:130–131[4]} He and his family left London in May 1857; their ship arrived in Philadelphia in July. The Maeser's infant son, Karl Gustav Franklin Maeser, died as they arrived and was buried in Philadelphia.^{[3]:155–163[5]:88}

In Philadelphia, Maeser was commissioned to develop pamphlets on basic church principles. After living there a few weeks, Maeser was called to serve as a missionary to the German-speaking community of Philadelphia.^{[3]:165–166} Maeser spent some time in Virginia as part of his mission, where he earned keep for himself and his family by giving music lessons.^[3]:172,175 Among Maeser's music students were the daughters of former United States President John Tyler.^[8][4] Maeser returned with Anna to Philadelphia, where he was called to serve as Conference President.^[3]:178 Maeser and his family left Philadelphia in June of 1860 and traveled across the country to Salt Lake City in Patriarch John Smith's company.^[3]:188[4] Maeser arrived in Utah Territory on September 1, 1860.^[6]

In 1860 Maeser was appointed to head church meetings in Salt Lake City held in German. However, shortly after, most of the Swiss Church members moved to Santa Clara, Utah and other locations in southern or central Utah, so the meetings in Salt Lake City ended. He was called to serve a Mission to Germany and Switzerland in 1867 and appointed mission president in 1868. He founded the church magazine Der Stern in January 1869. Upon his return to Utah in 1870, there were enough German-speaking church members in Salt Lake City for them to hold their own church meetings again, and Maeser presided at their meetings.^[9] In 1875, Maeser took a second wife, Emilie Damke.^[3]:348 He was arrested for "unlawful cohabitation" and was charged with a $300 fine in 1884.^[3]:469

Career

Statue of Karl Maeser in Dresden, Germany

Maeser accepted his first teaching position in the First District School in Dresden from 1852-1853,^[3]:47 and he taught at the Budich Institute beginning in 1854.^[3]:55 Maeser continued his teaching career when he arrived in Utah. He taught at the Deseret Lyceum, an academy established in Salt Lake City in November 1860. The teachers at the Lyceum constructed school slates and performed janitor duties because conditions were so poor.^[5]:89–90 In the spring of 1861, Maeser left the Lyceum and was offered a position at the Union Academy, established by Brigham Young.^[4] This academy was intended for students above elementary grades. Young appointed Maeser head of the school in February 1861. Maeser was concerned about the school systems meeting the needs and interests of its students, and he left the Union Academy to teach in other schools and seminaries, including the Twentieth Ward Seminary,^[5]:91–93 which he founded in 1862.^[4]The school became a well-known training school for teachers.^[5]:94

Maeser was elected as the regent of the University of Deseret in 1860, 1863 and in 1865. In 1894, he began to privately tutor Brigham Young's children^[4] and also instructed other children who came to the Young household including Ellis Reynolds Shipp.^[10] During this time, he also kept books for Leanard H. Hardy to supplement his income.^[4] He was teaching at Brigham Young's family school when he was called on a mission to Germany in 1867.^[5]:91–93 He left for Europe in May of 1867, leaving his family in a poor financial state. He became the president of the Swiss and German mission from 1868 to 1870. While in Switzerland, Brigham Young encouraged him to publish Der Stern (The Star). It was first published on January 1, 1869.^[6]

Maeser returned to Salt Lake City in 1870 and became a professor of German. However, he resigned from this position to return to the Twentieth Ward Seminary. In 1870, he also taught at the University of Deseret, helping to develop their teacher training program. Maeser wrote articles in the Beehive Series of the Juvenile Instructor during 1870.^[3]:305 In 1871, he was elected the president of the Salt Lake Teacher's Association.^[3]:312 For a short period of time he was also an assistant organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.^[11]

Brigham Young Academy

In 1875, Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah was founded to combine secular and religious teachings.^{[3]:361–362} The Academy followed advice from Joseph Smith: to teach correct principles and to let students govern themselves.^{[3]:390–391} Warren Dusenberry served as its interim principal during the school's first "experimental" term until Maeser was selected to be the founding principal by Brigham Young.^[2] The Academy later became Brigham Young University.^[12]

When Maeser arrived at Brigham Young Academy in 1876, during the school's "second experimental" term, enrollment had declined since Dusenberry had started the school. The facilities were run down, there was no record system, and the school lacked a uniform schedule. Only 29 students enrolled at the beginning of Maeser's first term, but this number doubled by the end of the term.^[5]:97–98 He was the only teacher during this first term. Maeser agreed to teach for only $1200 per year. The first year of his administration was divided into four terms. Maeser wrote up reports at the end of each term and sent them directly to the General Authorities of the church in Salt Lake outlining lesson plans and classes.^[4]

Under Maeser's administration, the school was divided into different departments based on the ability of students. The departments included the Primary, Preparatory, Intermediate, Kindergarten, Academic and Norman Departments.^[5]:162 A daily routine was established. Opening exercises began at 9 a.m. and classes began at 9:30 a.m. Students were allowed 30 minutes for lunch. The school day ended at either 4 or 5 p.m.^{[5]:177–178} Over 3,000 different students enrolled at the Academy while Maeser was its principal.^[5]:189

Maeser was very strict, and students that attended the Academy had to adhere to a standard of moral conduct.^[5]:198 Students were required to follow the Word of Wisdom. However, they were accountable for their own actions under the honor system.^[5]:207 Maeser also established training courses for teachers. He also kept parents informed and sent monthly reports to them on the progress of their children.^[3]:373

In 1884, the Lewis building, where the academy first met, burned down. Reed Smoot, a former student of Maeser's approached him and said "Dr. Maeser, the academy is no more." Maeser responded "no such thing, it's only the building...The academy lives on."^[13] Maeser turned the devastating fire into a lesson on pride.^[3]:382 He had a dream that inspired the construction of new buildings for the Academy.^[3]:459 The school struggled financially for some time, and Maeser pondered going elsewhere. He had a dream, or what he called a vision, in which he saw "Temple Hill filled with buildings—great temples of learning," which inspired him to stay at the Academy.^[14]

BYU's Karl G. Maeser Building

Maeser had a profound effect on his students. One of them, Alice Louise Reynolds, wrote that "he had the ability to inspire. He made his students feel the worth of life; he told us that the Lord had sent each of us to do a special work, and that the proper preparation was necessary for that mission."^[15] Among the students who studied under Maeser were George Sutherland,^[16] William H. King,^[17] Bryant S. Hinckley,^[18] James E. Talmage,^[19] George Albert Smith^[20] and J. Golden Kimball.^[21] He also inspired his family members; one of his sons, Karl Emil, who went on to be a respected educator and school president^[22]Maeser retired from Brigham Young Academy in 1892 to devote his time to his position as the Superintendent of Church Schools. He was succeeded by Benjamin Cluff.^[3]:487

Shortly before his death, Maeser was invited to speak at the aniniversary of the founders day at the Measer School, a public school named after him. He wrote his message on four chalkboards which stated:^[3]:565-566

• 1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom.
• 2. This life is one great object lesson to practice on the principles of immortality and eternal life.
• 3. Man grows with his higher goals.
• 4. Let naught that is unholy ever enter here.^[23]

These chalkboards are preserved at Brigham Young University.^[24]

Superintendent of the Church Educational System

In April 1888, the Church Board of Education was created as part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, inspired by a proposal made by Maeser in 1887. Maeser was made a member of the board, and was later appointed the superintendent of the Church Educational System. The Board of Education was created to maintain and supervise church schools.^[25] This position later became the Commissioner of Church Education.^[26] As Superintendent, Maeser helped establish initial policies for new academies established by the church. He also helped train teachers, and gave suggestions on the architecture of new school designs. By 1889, Maeser oversaw 19 schools that operated under the academy system. In 1889, Church Board of Education established a board of examiners to certify teachers. The board awarded Maeser a Doctor of Letters and Didactics degree that same year. Maeser also continued writing in the Juvenile Instructor in the 1890s to clarify church educational policies.^{[3]:474–479,488}

During this same time Maeser served in the General Superintendency of the Deseret Sunday School Union. He was the Second Assistant to General Superintendent George Q. Cannon from July 1894 to January 1899. He then served as the First Assistant to Cannon from January 1899 until February 1901.^[27] Maeser also participated in the Utah constitutional convention after Abraham Smoot's death in 1895. He proposed an article to support prohibition, but later backed down.^{[3]:528–529}

Mid-Winter Fair in San Fransisco

Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were removed from California in 1858 due to the Utah War. Missionary work resumed in 1892.^[28] Maeser presided over the California mission from January to August 1894 when he was replaced by Henry S. Tanner as president.^[29]

Maeser's primary responsibility was to head the Utah exhibit at the Mid-winter Fair in San Francisco in 1894,^[29] while he was serving as Superintendent of Church Schools. The exposition was patterned after Chicago World's Fair of 1893. At the Chicago exhibit, the church had displayed minerals and produce from Utah. In the San Fransisco exhibit, Maeser chose to focus more on beliefs of the church and educational accomplishments of students in the church school systems. The church had an exhibit in the Manufacturers and Liberal Arts Building, and Maeser gave a series of lectures to bring more publicity to the church school exhibit. Utah's participation in the exhibit attempted to gain favor for its becoming a state.^{[3]:519–522} He and his companions helped distribute information about the history of Utah.^[29] Although no one was baptized while Maeser was president, he did help create friendlier public-relations between Utah and California.^[30]

Educational philosophies

Maeser opposed educational philosophies of John Locke, who argued that education was for the elite only. Maeser recognized that Johann Bernhard Basedow had good ideas about treating students with kindness and removing physical punishment from the classroom;^{[3]:227–230} however, Maeser believed that "Come follow me" and not "Thou Shalt" was the best principle for teaching.^[23][31] In Maeser's eyes, Basedow was not a good example.^{[3]:227–230}

Monotorial system

Statue of Karl G. Maeser at Brigham Young University

Maeser included the Monitorial System from Andrew Bell and Joseph Lancaster in his teacher training courses. This system suggested that more advanced students monitored the less advanced students and that the layout of a classroom should allow one teacher to oversee a large number of students. Maeser believed that this system was flawed, however, because it focused on developing efficiency and disregarded individuality. Maeser argued that the teacher have more personal interactions with students.^{[3]:231–232} He implemented his monitorial organization so that each student would be responsible for something or someone else. Students were forced to look outside themselves, creating responsibility and organization.^[4]

Pestalozzian educational theory

While attending the Friedrichstadt Teacher College, Maeser was exposed to Pestalozzian educational theory, which greatly influenced his educational philosophy. Pestalozzian educational theory recognizes the potential of each individual. Pestalozzi encouraged teachers to treat their students with kindness and respect, and to show love to their students, instead of evoking fear.^[3]:22–24 Pestalozzi was also in favor of universal education and opposed separately educating different social classes.^[3]:45 Maeser adopted many of his ideas. He supported the education of women. Maeser believed that students should be allowed to express themselves freely and choose their own careers.^[3]:56 His lectures tried to engage students and help them understand concepts through their own experiences. He also included many object lessons to coach students to observe their surroundings and make connections.^{[3]:216–219} Maeser admired Prestalozzian teachers Adolph Diesterweg and Friedrich Fröbel^{[3]:237–239} Maeser also agreed that "education should be balanced head, heart and hand."^[23]

Role of religion

Maeser believed that religion played a key role in true education. He viewed each student as a child of God that had an individual capacity and potential.^[4] He thought that all schools should adhere to some religious aspect. He also argued that public high schools should be supplemented by religion classes. Maeser, however, was respectful of other religious denominations although Brigham Young Academy and Brigham Young University integrated beliefs from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.^{[3]:376–377}

Legacy

Karl G. Maeser's grave marker

Karl G. Maeser's grave marker

Maeser's health had been declining, although he continued working. Maeser died in his home on February 15, 1901.^[3]:588 He was an example of hard work, dedication and faithfulness. His ideas on educational philosophy, the honor system, and incorporation of religious classes continue to be implemented at Brigham Young University, where the Maeser Building is named after him.

A song was even written in Maeser's memory, "Come, Lay His Books and Papers by. The words were written by Annie Pike Greenwood and the music by L.D. Edwards. This song became an LDS hymn and appeared in the 1948 edition of the hymn book as hymn #338. After the title it states "In memory of Dr. Karl G. Maeser." It is not included in the 1985 hymn book.^[32]

Karl G. Maeser also inspired a relationship between Meissen, where he was born, and Provo, Utah. Now, the two cities share a sister-city relationship. It is the hope of both cities that the relationship will grow to include the exchange of delegations, including manufacturers, youth, academicians, scientists, artists, associations, clubs, tourists, technicians and others, which will result in enriching the cultures of the respective cities. As of 2001, the two cities have been sending high school age students on a three-week-long exchange to gain more knowledge about their differences in society and culture.^[33]

References

1. Bergera, Gary James; Priddis, Ronald (1985). "Chapter 1: Growth & Development". Brigham Young University: A House of Faith. Salt Lake City: Signature Books. ISBN 0-941214-34-6. OCLC 12963965.
2. "Brigham Young High School History: 1869 to 1903 - The Founding Years". Brigham Young High School. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
3. Richards, A. LeGrand (2014). Called to Teach. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University. ISBN 0842528423.
4. Burton, Alma P. (1953). Karl G. Maeser: Mormon Educator. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co.
5. Wilkinson, Ernest L., ed. (1975). Brigham Young University: The First 100 Years. Vol. 1. Provo: Brigham Young University Press.
6. Richards, A. LeGrand (2006). "Moritz Busch's Die Mormonen and the Conversion of Karl G. Maeser". BYU Studies 45 (4): 46–67.
7. Whitney, Orson F. (1904). History of Utah. IV-Biographical. Salt Lake City, Utah: George Q. Cannon & Sons Co. pp. 327–328. OCLC 22886649.
8. Winder, Michael K., Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America's Presidents and the LDS Church. (Salt Lake City: Covenant Communications, 2007) p. 62
9. Jensen, Richard L., "Mother Tongue: The Use of Non-English languages in the Church in the United States, 1842–1983" in Bitton, Davis and Maureen Ursenbach Beecher, ed., New Views of Mormon History (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1987) p. 277
10. McCloud, Susan Evans. Brigham Young: A Personal Portrait (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, 1996)
11. McCloud, Susan Evans (23 Jan 2012). "In Our Lovely Deseret: Karl Maeser: Let the wise man within you be your ideal". Deseret News. Retrieved 27 Apr 2016.
12. "History of BY High from 1869 to 1903". Abc.eznettools.net. 1906-01-31. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
13. Wilkinson, Ernest L.; Skousen, W. Cleon, eds. (1976). Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny. pp. 74–75. cited in Richards, A. LeGrand (2014). Called to Teach. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University. p. 382. ISBN 0842528423.
14. "Karl G. Maeser". Brigham Young University. Archived from the original on 1 Sep 2006.
15. Warerstradt, Jean A., ed. (1988). They Gladly Taught: Ten BYU Professors, Vol. 3. Provo: Brigham Young University. p. 132. cited in McClellan, Jeffrey S. (Winter 1999). "A Lingering Influence: Top 10 BYU Professors of the 20th Century". BYU Magazine. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
16. "Scrapbook of the 20th Century: Justice George Sutherland". Deseret News. 25 March 1999. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
17. "The Amazing King Brothers William Henry King & Samuel Andrew King". Brigham Young Academy. Brigham Young High School Alumni Association. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
18. "Karl G. Maeser: Character Technician". Education in Zion. Brigham Young University. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
19. Boyd, Hal (10 June 2011). "Top 10 LDS 'Intellectuals'". Deseret News. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
20. "The Life and Ministry of George Albert Smith". Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2010.
21. "Jonathan Golden Kimball". Brigham Young Academy. Brigham Young High School Alumni Association. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
22. "Emil Maeser". Eastern Arizona College. Eastern Arizona College. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
23. Richards, A. LeGrand (Fall 2007). "The Preparation of a Timeless Teacher" (PDF). McKay Today Magazine (Brigham Young University). Retrieved 17 Oct 2009.
24. Finding aid authors: Sarak Markle (2014). "Collection of chalkboards". Prepared for the L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Provo, UT. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
25. "Prologue: Foundations of Education in the Church, 1830–1911". By Study and Also By Faith: One Hundred Years of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2015. ISBN 9781465118783.
26. Berrett, William E (1992). Ludlow, Daniel H., ed. "Church Educational System (CES)". Encyclopedia of Mormonism (Macmillan Publishing Company): 274–276.
27. LDS Church Almanac, 2008 Edition, p. 115
28. "United States Information: California". Church News. Deseret News Publishing Company. 2 Feb 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
29. Jenson, Andrew (1941). Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. pp. 109–110.
30. Cowan, Richard O.; Homer, William E. (1996). "Chater 13: New Beginnings". California Saings: A 150-Year Legacy in the Golden State. Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University. pp. 229–246. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
31. "Maeser Chalkboards Preserved". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1 Jan 2005. Retrieved April 2014.
32. "5 hymns added to (+5 hymns omitted from) the 1985 hymnal". Bennett Communications. Utah Valley 360. 11 Oct 2015.
33. City of Provo, Utah :: Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.

Further reading

• Maeser, Karl Gottfried. School and Fireside. Skelton (1898), 358 pages. ASIN: B000882GWY
• Maeser, Reinhard. Karl G. Maeser: A biography by his son. Brigham Young University (1928), 184 pages. ASIN: B000893U14
• Hymns- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Copyright 1948 by Corporation of the President The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, published 1978 by Deseret Book Company for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

External links

• Utah History Encyclopedia
• Maeser Chalkboards Preserved
• Maeser, BYU Presidents
• Karl G. Maeser letters to Reinhard, MSS 8232 at L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University
• Register of the Karl G. Maeser Brigham Young University President's Records, 1861-1901 at L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University
• Karl G. Maeser Articles