James E. Talmage Building

James Talmage came to Utah from England as a boy and grew into one of those restless nineteenth-century minds that couldn't pick a single lane—geologist, chemist, a university president, and eventually a Latter-day Saint apostle known for his theology. The building named for him, one of the campus originals, opened in 1902 as the university's museum, later held the medical school, and now houses biology. It's a fitting home for Talmage's name: a building that kept turning to science, honoring a scientist who never stopped being one, even in the pulpit.

What the plaque says

James E. Talmage Building James E. Talmage—scholar, scientist, educator, author and church leader—was born in England and came to Utah when he was ten years old. He earned the A.B. degree at Lehigh University and the Ph.D. at Illinois Wesleyan University. For his work in chemistry and geology he was elected to membership in the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He gave vigorous leadership to the University as professor of metallurgy and biology, as Deseret Professor of geology and as the University's second president from 1894 to 1897. His major educational concern was to build a sound system of teaching for the people of Utah who, in the 1880's were still somewhat remote from the established centers of learning, and to incorporate into the University curriculum the expanding body of scientific knowledge. The land on which this building stands was deeded to the University during President Talmage's administration. Construction of the building, to be known as the Museum, was begun in 1900, but so many new buildings were going up in Salt Lake City that skilled laborers and quality brick and stone were in short supply. The building was not completed until late in 1902. The Museum building contained classrooms, offices and laboratories for biology, geology and mineralogy; geological and biological museums; an assembly room and a gymnasium. About 1920, geology classes were relocated and the Museum became known as the Biology Building until, on June 9, 1976, in ceremonies sponsored by the Alumni Association, it was officially named the James E. Talmage Building.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Red Butte Garden — 1.2 mi
  A 100-acre botanical garden with panoramic valley views
• Natural History Museum of Utah — 1.4 mi
  A world-class museum built into the foothills above Salt Lake City
• Gilgal Sculpture Garden — 1.8 mi
  A surreal and eccentric sculpture garden hidden in a residential neighborhood
• Liberty Park — 1.9 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882

More markers nearby

• Alfred C. Emery Building — steps away
• John Rockey Park Statue — steps away
• Leroy E. Cowles Building — steps away
• John A. Widtsoe Building — steps away