Dean L. May

Dean L. May (1938-2003) was a prominent historian of the American West who specialized in Mormon history, demographics, and social history. His academic career was primarily based at the University of Utah, where he served as a professor of history. May's most significant work is "Three Frontiers: Family, Land, and Society in the American West, 1850-1900," published in 1994, which examined settlement patterns in three diverse Western communities. The book received recognition for its innovative comparative approach to Western settlement history and use of quantitative analysis. His research focused extensively on Utah history, Mormon colonization patterns, and family structures in the American West. He contributed significantly to the understanding of Mormon demographic patterns and social organization through his detailed analyses of historical records and census data. May served as president of the Mormon History Association and was a fellow of the Utah State Historical Society. His methodological contributions to the field of Western history, particularly in the use of quantitative methods to study settlement patterns, influenced subsequent generations of historians.

Readers primarily discuss May's academic writing on Western and Mormon history, particularly "Three Frontiers." What readers liked: - Detailed statistical analysis backed by extensive research - Clear comparisons between different Western settlements - Balanced treatment of Mormon and non-Mormon communities - Thorough examination of family structures and demographic patterns What readers disliked: - Dense academic prose that can be difficult for general readers - Heavy focus on statistics over narrative elements - Limited geographical scope in some studies - Some readers found the methodological sections overly technical The book "Three Frontiers" has limited reviews online: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5 ratings) Amazon: No customer reviews available JSTOR: Multiple positive academic reviews cite the book's methodological rigor and comparative framework One academic reviewer noted: "May's quantitative approach brings new insights to Western settlement patterns, though at times at the expense of readability." Another reader commented: "Valuable for research but not an engaging read for non-academics."

Three Frontiers: Family, Land, and Society in the American West (1994) A study of three Mormon settlements in Utah, Idaho, and Oregon, examining their demographic patterns, land distribution, and social structures from 1850-1900.

Utah: A People's History (1987) A comprehensive history of Utah from prehistoric times through the 1980s, covering native peoples, Mormon settlement, and modern development.

From New England to the West: The Life of Charles Mabey (1987) A biography of Utah's fourth governor Charles Mabey, documenting his life from New England roots through his political career in the early 20th century.

Building the City of God: Community and Cooperation Among the Mormons (1976) An analysis of Mormon cooperative economic endeavors in the 19th century, with focus on the United Order movement.

Leonard J. Arrington writes on Mormon and Western U.S. history with an emphasis on economic and social development. He served as LDS Church Historian and published extensive works on Mormon settlement patterns.

Charles S. Peterson focuses on Utah territorial history and the Mormon colonization experience. His research covers land use patterns and agricultural development in the American West.

Thomas G. Alexander specializes in Utah history and environmental topics in the Mountain West. His work examines the intersection of Mormon culture with broader American developments.

Richard W. Etulain researches cultural and intellectual history of the American West. He has published extensively on Western historiography and regional identity formation.

Howard R. Lamar studies the territorial period of Western states and the development of political institutions. His work covers similar geographic areas and time periods as May, with attention to governance structures.