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:

Office of the President records on Physical Plant Department, 1951-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 42
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums and reports detailing the construction, upkeep and use of facilities on the BYU campus. Dated 1951 to 1958.

Dates: 1951-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on placement, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 43
Scope and Contents

This subseries contains correpsondence regarding the placement of both students and teachers. Much of it is work after a person's experience at Brigham Young University, as well as placement opportunities during a student's time at BYU. Student employment information at BYU is also included. Materials dated 1951 to 1956.

Dates: 1951-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on placement, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 43
Scope and Contents

Contains reports, memos and letters concerning student employment at BYU. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on placement, 1957-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 56
Scope and Contents

Contains letters to President Wilkinson and statements from potential employers outside of BYU about employing BYU students. Also contains memos within BYU about the success of the BYU placement center in finding students employment, especially married female students. Dated 1957 to 1963.

Dates: 1957-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on placement, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs and memorandums about the BYU Placement Bureau. Dated 1959.

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

Office of the President records on placement, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 60
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, and other materials about the employability of BYU graduates. Dated

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

Office of the President records on planetarium, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 44
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memorandums concerning the funding, building, and dedication of the Sarah Berrett Summerhays Planeterium on BYU campus. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on planetarium, 1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 57
Scope and Contents

Contains memos organizing a visit of Church general authorities to the BYU planeterium as well as a brochure for the BYU planeterium. Dated 1960.

Dates: 1960
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on politics, 1952-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 45
Scope and Contents

Memorandums and correspondence on political matters from 1952 to 1956. Topics include students' rights to form political clubs on campus as well as letters from politicians in Washington, D.C. addressed to President Wilkinson.

Dates: 1952-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on politics, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 45
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence between president Wilkinson and U.S. politicians discussing political topics. Topics included Senate bill 250, H.R. 7125, and scholarships. Also includes articles and reports on politics. Materials dated 1957-1958.

Dates: 1957-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / 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.