Wilkinson, Ernest L., 1899-1978
Dates
- Existence: 1899 - 1978
Biographical History
Ernest L. Wilkinson (1899-1978) was a prominent Mormon lawyer and academic administrator. He served as president of Brigham Young University from 1951-1971.
Ernest Leroy Wilkinson was born in Ogden, Utah, on May 4, 1899. He grew up in the outskirts of the city, one of seven children. Ernest enrolled in Weber Academy, and he was characterized by his hardworking nature. He served in the Student Army Training Corps in 1918. He then attended Brigham Young University, where he was very active in student activities and politics. He married Alice Valera Ludlow on August 15, 1923. He attended George Washington University and graduated summa cum laude in 1926. In 1935, he served as a lawyer for the Ute Indian tribes as they successfully gained compensation for land.
Upon being named president of BYU in 1951, Wilkinson proceeded to aggressively expand the university. Under his presidency, BYU grew to the largest private university in the United States. The intellectual standards of BYU also increased dramatically. Even as he contributed to drastic growth in the university, he never accepted a salary. He was replaced by Dallin H. Oaks in 1971. Wilkinson passed away April 6, 1978.
Citation:
His Earnestly yours, 1971Deem, W.J. Ernest L. Wilkinson, Indian advocate ... 1982: p. 665 (d. 4/6/78)
Wikipedia, Mar. 2, 2011 (Ernest L. Wilkinson; Ernest Leroy Wilkinson; b. May 4, 1899 in Ogden, Utah; American academic administrator; Commission of Church Education for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1953-1970; president of Brigham Young University, 1951-1971; attorney in Washington, D.C. and N.Y.)
Ancestry.com, Mar. 2, 2011 (Ernest L. Wilkinson; Ernest Wilkinson; Ernest Leroy Wilkinson; d. in Salt Lake City, Utah)
Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years, 1975: p. 506 (born in Ogden, Utah; one of seven children; grew up on outskirts) p. 508 (enrolled in Weber Academy; hardworking) p. 510 (Student Army Training Corps, 1918; attended Brigham Young University) p. 511 (active in BYU activities) p. 515 (married Alice Ludlow; August 15, 1923) p. 517 (graduated from George Washington University; summa cum laude; 1926) p. 520 (attorney for the Ute Tribe) p. 506 (never accepted a salary)
FamilySearch, May 29, 2014 (Ernest Leroy Wilkinson, "BillionGraves Index"; b. May 4, 1899; d. April 6, 1978)
Office of the President, May 29, 2014 (Ernest L. Wilkinson; served as president from 1951-1971; expanded BYU to nation's largest private university; increased intellectual standards)
Found in 32 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President non compos mentis records, 1956-1958
Contains letters and memos explaining false doctrine and critisizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1956 to 1958.
Office of the President non compos mentis records, 1959-1963
Contains letters and memos about BYU school facilities as well as non-doctrinal opinions. Dated 1959 to 1963.
Office of the President records on African Americans, 1955-1962
Contians news clippings, letters and memos discussing the position of black students at BYU and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1955 to 1962.
Office of the President records on Board of Education, 1959-1962
Contains agendas and minutes from meetings of the Church Board of Education. Also contains memos from President Wilkinson discussing the board. Dated 1959 to 1962.
Office of the President records on Church School System, 1944-1958
Contains correspondence and reports pertaining to Ricks College, LDS Business College, Juarez Academy and the Brigham Young University schools in the Pacific. Materials discuss finances, enrollment, and the unification of the church school systems. Dated 1944 to 1958.
Office of the President records on Church School System, 1957-1963
Contains memos and correspondence with President Wilkinson discussing Church institutes and seminaries, major programs and BYU and Ricks College, and various Church schools and proposed schools around the world. Dated 1957 to 1963.
Office of the President records on Church School System, 1944-1962
Contains letters, memos and reports between President Wilkinson and various leaders of the Church Education System. The materials discussed various educational programs spanning from Institute and Seminary to Church-owned Univeristies such as BYU. The reports discuss students, statistics, and events of these schools. Dated 1959.
Office of the President records on Church stakes, 1959-1962
Letters, memos and other materials on the topics of BYU student involvement in local YSA stakes, sunday school programs and temple worship. Dated 1959 to 1962.
Office of the President records on civil rights, 1959-1963
Contains a 1959 report investigating discrimination and relations of minorities in Utah as well as a 1963 newpaper article advocating for the Utah governor to secure equal rights for everyone regardless of race. Dated 1959 to 1963.
Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1958-1962
Contains letters, memos and other materials regarding the coordination of curriculum for various BYU colleges. These were sent between President Wilkinson and heads of various departments. Dated 1958 to 1962.