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 322 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1956-1959
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and heads of BYU departments discussing academic colleges as well as the programs and curriculum offered in these colleges. Contains memos and letters about athletics and other BYU programs. Also contains other materials such as news clippings and reports. Dated 1959.
Office of the President records on commencement, 1950-1957
Contains addresses, correspondence and programs relating to Brigham Young University commencement exercises and honorary degrees in Provo. Materials dated 1950 to 1957.
Office of the President records on commencement, 1954-1959
Contains programs, speeches, reports, and correspondence pertaining to BYU commencement. The materials concerned undergraduate and graduate students, valedictorian speeches, and honorary degrees. Dated 1954 to 1959.
Office of the President records on commencement, 1959-1962
Contains memos, letters and other materials relating to BYU commencement. The materials organized the ceremony, speakers, and gave graduation statistics. Dated 1959 to 1962.
Office of the President records on commencement, 1959
Contains letters and memos with President Wilkinson planning the proceedings and speakers of the BYU commencement. Also contains letters planning to whom honorary BYU degrees will be given. The sub-series also has copies of the addresses given at commencement exercises. Dated 1959.
Office of the President records on committees, 1951-1956
Contains membership lists, annual reports and correspondence between 1951 to 1956 from various committees at Brigham Young University.
Office of the President records on committees, 1963
Contains a list of all committees on BYU campus as well as their activity status. Also contains letters and memos about committees. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on Communism, 1963
Contains memos and letters from President Wilkinson and other BYU staff about Communism, specifically "The Naked Communist." Dated 1963.
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 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.