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 17 Collections and/or Records:
Ernest L. Wilkinson papers on junior college program, 1875-1963
Office of the President records on curriculum, 1950-1956
Contains correspondence, reports, proposals and lists written by and for members of Brigham Young University faculty and administration between 1950 to 1956. The papers concern changes to curriculum, enrollment of graduate students, teacher loads and general academic statisitics.
Office of the President records on economy suggestion, 1957
Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including the Church School System, federal aid, finance, enrollment statistics, and general correspondence between administration. Dates of record keeping from 1937 to 1960.
Office of the President records on economy suggestions, 1959-1962
Contains memos and proposals of suggestions on how BYU departments could better handle funds, most written by Joseph T. Bentley. Dated 1959 to 1962.
Office of the President records on eminent domain, 1957-1958
Contains memos, letters and proposals regarding the right of eminent domain to private institutions of higher learning in the state of Utah. Dated 1957 to 1958.
Office of the President records on human relations, 1960
Contains a proposal for a center for human relations and leadership development at BYU. Materials dated approximately 1960.
Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1959-1963
Contains memos and letters to and from President Wilkinson on the topic of use and upkeep of physical buildings around BYU campus. Also contains cost proposals for new buildings. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on Physical Plant Department, 1948-1957
Contains reports, correspondence and letters about the physical campus of Brigham Young University, dated 1948 to 1957. The materials concern property acquistion, budgets and proposals for new buildings as well as modifications to existing buildings, and dedication of many buildings, notably many new student residence halls.
Office of the President records on recommendations, 1955-1960
Contains letters and memos to and from President Wilkinson. They are letters of recommendations for BYU students as well as proposals recommending the use of funds for special projects. Dated 1955 to 1960.
Office of the President records on research, 1964
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others on proposed research projects, facilities, and funding. Also contains project proposals and reports. Dated 1964.