Arthur L. (Arthur Lawton) Beeley

Born in 1890, Arthur Lawton Beeley was an American scholar whose work connected sociology, criminology, and religious history. Archival records from the University of Utah describe him as a professor of sociology and the first dean of the Graduate School of Social Work there, and note that he was known especially for his studies in criminology.

Beeley wrote both academic and historical works. Project Gutenberg lists Being a Summary Statement of the Investigation Made by the British Government of the "Mormon" Question in England among his books, showing his interest in documenting and interpreting episodes from Latter-day Saint history as well as broader social issues.

That combination of interests helps explain the character of his writing: careful, research-minded, and shaped by a concern for how institutions affect everyday life. Even when approaching a historical subject, he appears to have brought the habits of a social scientist to the page.