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 19 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President records on academics, 1966-1967
Contains memos, letters, articles and reports on a vast array of BYU academic topics, including student life and activities, BYU faculty and staff, and academic colleges and majors. Dated 1966-1967.
Office of the President records on African Americans, 1963
Contains memos, clippings and articles about the Church's stance toward African American members. One article addressed the problem this stance could cause for Governor Romney's political career. Another was written by former BYU student Jeff Nye and criticized the Church for its policies toward African Americans. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1967
Contains letters and memos about the BYU Alumni Association as well as lists and articles about alumni and alumni descendents. Also contains memos and financial records about use of Aspen Grove. Dated 1967.
Office of the President records on articles of incorporation, 1949-1953
Correspondence with the Board of Trustees regarding the articles of incorporation. A copy of the original deed for the university included. Record keeping dates from 1949 to 1953.
Office of the President records on associations, 1965
Contains letters, reports and clippings about the BYU Women's Club, intruders at Aspen Grove, and the New World Archaeological Foundation (NFAW). Also contains a single letter of condolance as well as reports and articles on Mesoamerican archaeological excavations. Dated 1965.
Office of the President records on Communism, 1960-1962
Contains articles warning againsat the threat of communism as well as memos and letters between BYU faculty discussing measures against communism in the community. Dated 1960 to 1962.
Office of the President records on Franklin S. Harris, 1959-1961
Contains letters, articles and reports about Franklin S. Harris, as well as eulogies and other materials from his memorial service. Dated 1959-1961.
Office of the President records on Freedoms Foundation, 1959-1962
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and Freedoms Foundation. Dated 1959-1962.
Office of the President records on human interest, 1956-1960
Contains articles by BYU students telling stories from their lives. Dated 1956 to 1960.
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.