Skip to main content

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 375 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on contributions, 1950-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1950-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on contributions, 1953-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums and reports from various donors and foundations regarding scholarship donations. Dated 1953 to 1960.

Dates: 1953-1960
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on curriculum, 1960-1961

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains memos discussing BYU curriculum as well as a schedule of all available BYU courses. Dated 1960 to 1961.

Dates: 1960-1961
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on curriculum, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 15
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and BYU faculty coordinating curriculum for the university. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on data processing, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 32
Scope and Contents

Contains memos about data processing as well as a brochure on data processing education. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on dedicatory services, 1954-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains memos planning dedication of campus buildings as well as brochures and reports telling the history of campus buildings. Dated 1954 to 1957.

Dates: 1954-1957
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on department chairmen, 1954-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 19
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums and letters from President Wilkinson appointing faculty members to the position of department chairmen, as well as discussing campus issues. Dated 1954 to 1958.

Dates: 1954-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on department chairmen, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 31
Scope and Contents

Contains memos between Earl C. Crockett and President Wilkinson discussing chairmen of BYU departments. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on department chairmen, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains memos between Preident Wilkinson and heads of BYU departments. Also contains a list of all BYU department chairmen. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on directories, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains directories for students and instructors in Institutes and Seminaries. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.