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 699 Collections and/or Records:

Inside the Wilkinson era

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233259842]
Identifier: UA 871
Scope and Contents

Interview by Heber G. Wolsey with Ben E. Lewis, Robert K. Thomas, Harvey Taylor, Sam Brewster, and Bruce L. Olsen concerning their personal experiences with Ernest L. Wilkinson. Wilkinson's resignation as president of Brigham Young University had been announced in March 1971, and the inteviews were recorded as a tribute to him.

Dates: 1971 May 25
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives

L. Tom Perry Special Collections records on Ernest L. Wilkinson Collection open house

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233621835]
Identifier: UA 1061
Scope and Contents

Video of the open house commemorating the availability of the Ernest L. Wilkinson Collections to public research. Also includes a flyer announcing the open house.

Dates: 2003
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Ben E. Lewis personal papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2203
Scope and Contents

Contains annual volumes of randomly organized reminiscences of his life, including childhood in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah; scouting; family; missionary service; education and profession; the building of the Provo and Jordan River temples; and work at Brigham Young University, including interactions with Ernest L. Wilkinson and Dallin H. Oaks. Also includes addresses and poems by Lewis, an oral history, and Lewis family history. Materials dated 1944-2003 (bulk: 1988-2003).

Dates: 1944-2003; Majority of material found within 1988-2003
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Miscellaneous dated material, 1896-1942

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 4 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents From the Collection: 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: 1896-1942
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Miscellaneous documents and other materials

Miscellaneous documents and other materials

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 4
Scope and Contents From the Collection: 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: 1906-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records

Miscellaneous undated material

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 4 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents From the Collection: 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: 1906-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Miscellaneous documents and other materials

Motion Picture Studio footage of Brigham Young University

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1287
Scope and Contents

Materials include 26 reels of film footage of the Brigham Young University campus. Digital copies of the film are also included in the form of 26 DVDs. Footage dates from 1949 to 1981 and is silent.

Dates: 1949-1981
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives

National Council of American Indians photographs

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 5
Scope and Contents From the Collection: 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: 1906-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians 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.