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 82 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President records on Church organizations and administration, 1970
Contains the presidential papers of Ernest L. Wilkinson span the years 1949 to 1975. They cover his pre-appointment period to the presidency, his presidential administration and his post-presidential activities. The collection documents University activities, programs, policies and procedures, and public relations with other universities, national, state and local organizations. It contains correspondence, memos, reports, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and related materials.
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, 1969
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, Church general authorities, and BYU faculty on the topics of Church schools, curriculum and issues within these schools. Dated 1969.
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, 1972
Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, programs, and brochures on colleges and departments at Brigham Young University. Includes material on various colleges such as business, fine arts, and religion. Dated 1972.
Office of the President records on complaints and complements, 1951-1956
Contains correspondence and memos, majority from or to Ernest L. Wilkinson, university leaders, church leaders, city/local officials, and others, dated from 1951 to 1956. Letters discuss invitations to events, appreciation for actions taken, as well as suggestions and complaints. These opinions are in regards to the university, students, events, etc.
Office of the President records on contributions, 1950-1956
Contains correspondence regarding contributions and donations to the university from 1950 to 1956. Some letters are requests for donations, expressing thanks for the donations contributed, and regarding scholarships. Included are some newspaper clippings about large contributions given.
Office of the President records on education, 1963
Contains reports of teachers' salaries as well as clippings about funds for schools. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on human interest, 1963
Contains written human interest stories about BYU students as well as memos and clippings of articles. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on Indian Program, 1963
Contains letters, memos, reports, article and clippings about Native Americans at BYU and in the Indian Program. Dated 1963.