Lynn M. Hilton papers, 1944-2002

Lynn Mathers Hilton (b. 1924) was a businessman, educator, author, world traveler, legislator, veteran, patron of the arts, and religious leader. He was born in Thatcher, Graham County, Arizona, 3 November 1924 to Eugene Hilton and Ruth Naomi Savage. From 1943-1945 in World War II he served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air force as pilot of a B-24 bomber and continued as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve until 1955. Hilton fulfilled a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to New England from 1945-1947. He married Annalee Hope Avarell in December 1948. They had five children: Cynthia, Polly, Sheree, Ralph, and Spencer. Hilton obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of Utah, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Chicago in 1952. Hilton served on the faculty of Brigham Young University (BYU), Provo, Utah, for twelve years. During this time he created and managed several projects including: BYU Travel Studies, BYU Evening School, Know Your Religion lecture series, and BYU off-campus courses. From 1957-1963 Hilton was director of BYU Church History, and Bible Lands Tours. Hilton was co-owner of Whitaker-Hilton Enterprises, Inc. from 1954-1961. Hilton was elected to the Utah State House of Representatives District 4, Republican in November 1972 and completed two years in the 40th Legislature. In 1974 he ran for U.S. Congress in the Republican party. Hilton served other civic posts including: Republican County Delegate, Vice-Chairman Legislative District 4, and Salt Lake County Credentials Chairman. From 1975-1977 Lynn and Hope Hilton lived in Yanbu, Saudia Arabia, and established a branch of the LDS Church. Hilton has authored and edited several books and articles on Utah History, and education including: Concordance of the Pearl of Great Price, "In Quest of Lebolo's Catacomb, A Note on the Archeology of the Book of Abraham-Tomb 33, Thebes Egypt," In Search of Lehi's Trail, and "The Vocational/Technical Handbook for Utah."