Brigham Young
Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 - August 29, 1877) took over leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the death of the Church's founder, Joseph Smith. Young led the early members of the Church westward to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah to escape growing religious persecution.
On February 10, 1846, many Mormons, led by Young, began their migration west from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Great Salt Lake.
Young was perhaps the most famous polygamist of the early church although he was preceded in the practice by Joseph Smith who introduced it. The exact number of his wives is unknown.
Critics have charged that Young knew of, or perhaps even approved of Mountain Meadows Massacre.
In addition to founding the University of Utah, Young also organized the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Brigham Young University is named after him.
