Karl G. Maeser

Life & Legacy

Karl Gottfried Maeser (January 16, 1828 – February 15, 1901) was a German secondary school teacher, 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 (BYA). Although he was not the first principal of the Academy, he is considered its founder. The Academy later became Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1903.
Before teaching at BYA, Maeser taught at several schools in Germany and in Utah. He tutored Brigham Young's children. Maeser incorporated the Monitorial system into his teaching philosophies and was influenced by Pestalozzian educational theory, but he advocated religious aspects in schooling.
Maeser served as an LDS Church missionary in four nations; he served as the head of the Church Educational System and in the central leadership of the Sunday School. His educational philosophies shaped BYA and other church academies throughout Utah.