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 142 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President records on junior colleges, 1949-1955
Contains histories, articles, reports and correspondence pertaining to junior colleges in Utah between 1949 to 1955. The majority of the correspondence and articles are opinions about the possibility of several of these colleges being transferred to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Office of the President records on junior colleges, 1955-1958
Contains letters, memos and reports dicussing the benefits and operations of junior colleges. Dated 1955 to 1958.
Office of the President records on library, 1959-1962
Contains reports, memos and letters on the BYU library, especially on collection materials and donations made to the library. Dated 1959 to 1962.
Office of the President records on library, 1963
Contains letters and memos about books and resources in the BYU student library and J. Reuben Clark law library. Also contains a report on science and religion. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1964
Contains letters, memos and reports concerning physical facilities of BYU. Concerns proposals, construction and upkeep of BYU buildings as well as roads, water, and other Provo infrastructure. Dated 1964.
Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1954-1963
Contains memos and letters to and from President Wilkinson on the topic of use and upkeep of physical buildings around BYU campus. Also contains reports on program requirements for future buildings on BYU campus. Dated 1954 to 1963.
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, 1965
Contains letters, memos and reports concerning physical facilities of BYU. Concerns proposals, construction and upkeep of BYU buildings as well as security, roads, water, and other Provo infrastructure. Dated 1965.
Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1966
Contains letters, memos ans reports between president Wilkinson and BYU staff about the BYU physical facilities. Topics include grounds an custodial services, various buildings, special projects, construction, and more. Dated 1966.
Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1966-1967
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others discussing the physical plant of BYU. Topics include roads, safety, traffic, and more. Includes reports on the construction of new facilities as well as the upkeep of old ones. Dated 1967.