John A. Widtsoe

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John Andreas Widtsoe (1872 - 1952) was born in Daloe, Island of Froyen, Norway. In 1884 he immigrated to the United States. He was ordained March 17, 1921 to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to fill a vacancy caused by the death of President Anthon H. Lund just 15 days earlier. He was a noted author, scientist, and academician

John Widtsoe graduated from Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah. He then attended Harvard University graduating with honors. He also served as a president of Utah Agricultural College, now Utah State University. In 1898, he was ordained to the office of a Seventy and set apart to do missionary work in connection with his studies in Europe. He entered the University of Goettingen, Germany, and after applying himself diligently to his studies he graduated from that institution, with the degrees of A. M. Ph.D. in 1899. He returned to Utah and served as president of the University of Utah from about 1915 until his call as a member of the Quorum of the 12 in 1921.

Besides being a professor at the Utah Agricultural College he also was the head of Brigham Young University's Agricultural Department for a year and taught a religion class at the University of Southern California.

Elder Widtsoe was closely associated with both the Improvement Era and genealogical work as a member of the Quorum of the twelve. From 1926 until 1932 he served as President of the European Mission.

Elder Widtsoe was married to Leah Dunford, a daughter of Susa Young Gates who in turn was a daughter of Brigham Young.

Elder Widtsoe died on November 20, 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Adam S. Bennion was called after Widtsoe's death.