Individuals from a variety of cultural or philosophical standpoints produced prolific Mormon-themed research, scholarship, or their popularization, in an era now past. Then, beginning in the decade of the 2000s, Mormon studies finally came into its own as an independent field of study when the sub-discipline became featured by then at a few academic institutions in the Western United States. Some of the individuals with recognized expertise in the field are listed below. In consideration of space, members of Latter Day Saint movement denominations' overall leadership are not included (Dallin H. Oaks is listed for work he published prior his becoming a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve). Selected list of past scholars 19th-century compilers of Mormon histories or essays Thomas Bullock (1816–1885) William Clayton (1814–1879) Appleton Milo Harmon (1820–1877) Edward Tullidge (1829–1894) L. John Nuttall (1834–1905) Edward H. Anderson (1858–1928) — Journalist. Biographer of Brigham Young Nephi Anderson (1865–1923) — Mormon author of fiction and non-fiction Opening "modern," 20th-century field Andrew Jenson (1850–1941) — Assistant Church Historian of the LDS Church B. H. Roberts (1857–1933) — Assistant Church Historian of the LDS Church 1902–1933. Made first attempts to shift from apologetics to a professional historical approach. John Henry Evans (1872–1947): Latter-day Saints University — Biographer, various early LDS leaders LeRoy R. Hafen (1893–1985): University of Denver; BYU Bernard DeVoto (1897–1955): Northwestern; Harvard — Preeminent writer-historian of the American West sometimes writing on Mormon subjects Juanita Brooks (1898–1989) — Independent. Also served as a dean at Dixie Junior College Paul Dayton Bailey (1906–1987) — Journalist. Author of histories of about Mormon pioneers Samuel W. Taylor (1907–1997) — Novelist and screenwriter who authored the Mormon-themed humorous novel Heaven Knows Why! in 1948 Lowell L. Bennion (1908–1996): Salt Lake City's LDS Institute of Religion — Sociology of religion. Ecumenical outreach, practical philosophy Wallace Stegner (1909–1993): University of Wisconsin; Harvard — Writer-historian called "The Dean of Western Writers," sometimes writing on Mormon topics Ivan J. Barrett (1910–1999): BYU Hugh Nibley (1910–2005): BYU — Known as the father of LDS Apologetics W. Cleon Skousen (1913–2006) — BYU religion professor, 1967–1978. Prolific popularizer among LDS of its theology. (Also an influential, conservative American Constitutionalist and faith-based political theorist) Dale Morgan (1914–1971) — Influential independent Utah historian Fawn Brodie (1915–1981) — Critical, psychobiographer of Joseph Smith. Became UCLA professor Leonard J. Arrington (1917–1999): Utah State Agricultural College; BYU; LDS Church Historian, 1972–1982 —