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Wilkinson, Ernest L., 1899-1978

 Person

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, 1971

Deem, 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 463 Collections and/or Records:

Heber G. Wolsey policy, procedure and correspondence files, 1957-1971

 Series
Identifier: UA 917 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Contains various files and records.

Dates: Other: 1957-1971

Hugh Nibley academic correspondence, 1940-2002

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2721 Series 3 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains letters to and from Hugh Nibley including correspondence with Dallin H. Oaks, Russell M. Nelson, Ernest L. Wilkinson, G. Homer Durham, and many other people. The contents are about academic matters. Materials date from 1940 to 2002.

Dates: 1940-2002

Christen Jensen papers

 Collection
Identifier: UA 96
Scope and Contents

Collection includes correspondence, reports, memoranda, minutes, and examinations concerning Brigham Young University transfer credits, awards, faculty meetings, graduate school, Franklin S. Harris, Ernest L. Wilkinson, history, political science, and public administration.

Dates: 1903-1961

Letter and newspaper clipping

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232489689]
Identifier: MSS 579
Scope and Contents

Two letters and one newspaper clipping. The clipping was published by the Itahca Journal News on 28 July 1962 and relates to the family of Brigham Young (1801-1877) and to the Salt Lake Theatre. One of the letters is from Dorothy Dye to Ernest L. Wilkinson, president of Brigham Young University, relating to the newspaper clipping. The other letter is from Wilkinson to the Brigham Young University Archives also regarding the clipping.

Dates: 1962

National Council of American Indians records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1704
Scope and Contents Contains correspondence, personal history, and business papers of both Zitkala-S̈a and her husband, Raymond Bonnin, with the bulk focusing on Gertrude's activities. Zitkala-S̈a was a central figure in early twentieth century Indian reform, and this collection reflects her intensive involvement. She was instrumental in legislation favorable to Indians and spent a great deal of her time among the Native Americans in an attempt to educate and organize them for greater strength through unity....
Dates: 1926-1938

Office of the President annual reports, 1951-1953

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

University reports divided by departments with departmental needs and statistics of students in specific programs. Submitted job applications also included. Dated 1951 to 1953.

Dates: 1951-1953

Office of the President complementary records, 1952-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains complimentary and congratulatory memos and correspondence to and from President Wilkinson. Dated 1952 to 1958.

Dates: 1952-1958

Office of the President complementary records, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 28
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos from President Wilkinson complimenting BYU staff and members of the community. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President complimentary records, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 24
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos from President Wilkinson complimenting others on their performances. Also contains letters complimenting President Wilkinson. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962