Linda King Newell
Born(1941-01-16)January 16, 1941
DiedFebruary 12, 2023(2023-02-12) (aged 82)
Occupation(s)Historian, author, editor, scholar
SpouseL. Jackson Newell
Academic work
Main interestsHistory of Mormonism
Notable worksMormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith

Linda King Newell (January 16, 1941 – February 12, 2023) was an American historian and author.

Newell co-authored the 1984 book entitled, Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith, with Valeen Tippetts Avery. During this time (1982–86) she was editor of the scholarly Mormon periodical entitled, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, with her husband L. Jackson Newell, a professor at the University of Utah,[1] who also would serve as president of Deep Springs College.[2]

Early life and education

Linda King was born on January 16, 1941, to Foisy Earl King and Pearl King in Richfield, Utah. She grew up in Fillmore, Utah, and attended the Southern Utah University, studying art and education on a scholarship. She graduated in 1963.[3] Newell married her husband, L. Jackson, in 1963 and they had three children together.[3]

Mormon studies

While Newell did not have formal training as a historian, she achieved prominence for her work in Mormon studies. Mormon Enigma, her biography of Emma Smith received the interpretive history prize from the Mormon History Association. This and her other articles examining how women's power in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) diminished after the 1950s caused her to be blacklisted by Mormon leaders. She was not allowed to speak about Mormon history at LDS Church events or meetinghouses, and her work was not allowed to be cited in church-published material.[3]

Professional positions

Newell served as president of the John Whitmer Historical Association in 1988 and the Mormon History Association from 1996 to 1997.[4] Recognized as a scholar in the field of feminism, her work gained acclaim,

Death

She died on February 12, 2023, at the age of 82.[5][6]

Publications

Notes

References

  1. ^ Anderson, Lavina Fielding. "Reflections from Within: A Conversation with Linda King Newell and L. Jackson Newell", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Utah, 1987. Retrieved on 17 February 2020.
  2. ^ Jarvik, Elaine (Summer 2015) "An Examined Life," Continuum: The Magazine of the University of Utah, pp. 34-38.
  3. ^ a b c Risen, Clay (February 26, 2023). "Linda King Newell, 82, a Blacklisted Feminist Scholar of Mormon History". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Past MHA Presidents". Mormon History Association. Archived from the original on 2012-02-13. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
  5. ^ "Linda King Newell". Larkin Mortuary. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  6. ^ Risen, Clay (2023-02-23). "Linda King Newell, Feminist Scholar of Mormon History, Dies at 82". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-24.


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