Brigham Young University’s Cultural Tradition

One of the goals of the administration of Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945) was to provide students with uniqiue cultural opportunities. This was accomplished with the establishment of the Lyceum Series. Herald R. Clark was tasked with identifying and inviting prominent artists to campus. He quickly established himself as one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the country on cultural and musical performers. Clark succeeded in bringing first-rate artists to campus including philosopher Will Durrant, poets Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg, and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff. The lectures and performances of these artists established a tradition of excellent cultural opportunities at Brigham Young University.

In 2014 David Dalton, a former faculty member in the Brigham Young University School of Music, compiled information on all of the individuals who participated in the Lyceum Series from 1921 to 1971. This information was organized into an alphabetical list and a chronological list. These lists are found in UA 5684 David Dalton lists of Lyceum concerts and lectures which can be accessed through the Special Collections reading room (1130 HBLL).

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