Joseph T. Kingsbury
| Joseph T. Kingsbury | |
|---|---|
 |
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| President of the University of Deseret |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | November 4, 1853 Weber County, Utah |
| Died | April 10, 1937 (aged 84) Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Alma mater |
University of Utah Cornell University |
Joseph Thomas Kingsbury (November 4, 1853-April 10, 1937) was president of the University of Deseret, now known as the University of Utah, from 1892 to 1894. In 1894 he was replaced by James E. Talmage, but was once again appointed president in 1897. He held that position until he resigned because of a campus controversy in 1916.
Joseph T. Kingsbury was born on November 4, 1853 to Joseph C. Kingsbury and Dorcas Moore, in Weber County, Utah. A few years after his birth, his family moved to Salt Lake City from the farm in Weber County, Utah. Kingsbury’s father was a bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Kingsbury married Jane Mair on August 7, 1879. They had six children.
Kingsbury attended the University of Deseret from 1872 to 1875 and Cornell University from 1875 to 1877. Kingsbury received his doctorate in 1894 through non-resident study from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Kingsbury joined the small faculty of the University of Deseret in 1878. (Until 1883, he was one of only three faculty members.) His teaching assignments included physics, chemistry, mineralogy, geology, geography and civil government.
Kingsbury was the acting president of the University of Utah from 1892 to July 1894, when he became university vice president under James E. Talmage. He returned to the presidency on a permanent basis in 1897. He implemented plans to move the university to a new site on lands purchased from Fort Douglas.
During Kingsbury’s presidency the university added a law school. In 1907, a department of law was founded, with Kingsbury as one of its initial faculty members. In 1913, the department was organized into the School of Law.
University expansion continued. From 1900 to 1916 the total number of students tripled.
An escalating series of controversies began in 1914 and resulted in Kingsbury’s resignation in 1916. On June 14, 1914 Milton H. Sevy, a student speaking at commencement, criticized Governor William Spry, the conservative atmosphere of Utah, and the political influence of Mormon leaders.
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