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 37 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President congratulatory records, 1960-1962
Contains letters from President Wilkinson congratulating people on their accomplishments. Dated 1960 to 1962.
Office of the President records on Academic Emphasis Committee, 1963
Contains letters and memos sent between BYU faculty. The correspondence was discussing guest speakers selected by the Academic Emphasis Committee to speak at BYU. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on administration, 1964
Contains letters, memos and reports from BYU staff about various administrative details. Contains information on staff duties, salaries, committes and more. Dated 1964.
Office of the President records on administration, 1959-1963
Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and BYU faculty and staff dicussing administrative duties at BYU. Topics include meetings, university reports, the academic calendar, and more. Dated 1959 to 1963.
Office of the President records on administration, 1954-1963
Contains memos and letters between BYU faculty and staff, as well as the minutes and agendas of several administrative councils and committees at BYU. Dated 1954 and 1963.
Office of the President records on administrative studies, 1963
Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and committees seeking funding. Also contains lists of accrediting associations. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on Admission and records, 1957-1963
Contains letters, memos and reports on from BYU administration on admissions, grading, registration and scholarships at BYU. Dated 1957 to 1963.
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1960-1963
Contains materials pertaining to alumnus of BYU. Includes memos, letters and reports about senior projects at BYU, awards, and fundraisers. Dated 1960 to 1963.
Office of the President records on appointments, 1963
Contains memos between President Wilkinson and BYU faculty organizing his appointments for various university president duties. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on appreciation, 1962
Contains letters and memos of appreciation from President Wilkinson to others in the Utah community. Dated 1962.