Brigham Young

Young, Brigham (1801–77), U.S. Mormon leader. He joined the Mormons in 1832 and quickly rose to prominence. After 3 years as a missionary in England, he assumed leadership of the Mormons following the death of Joseph Smith (1844) and led them to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1846. Young established a thriving city on a sound commercial basis and became first governor of Utah in 1850. He may have had as many as 27 wives.

See also: Mormons.