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:

Brigham Young correspondence

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197223105963]
Identifier: MSS SC 687
Scope and Contents

Typescripts of two letters between Young and Louis Frederick Moench discussing the teaching of truth and correct principles at the Brigham Young Academy. Also includes memo from Ernest L. Wilkinson.

Dates: 1876
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Zitkala-S̈a biographical information, 1917-1986

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Biographical information on Zitkala-S̈a, including lists of life activities, chronologies, biographical essays and outlines, and accompanying letters or notes. Dated 1917-1986.

Dates: 1917-1986
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Zitkala-S̈a personal papers and writings

Zitkala-S̈a collection on The Sun dance opera, 1913-1938

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 1 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains a typescript copy of "The Sun Dance Opera," written by William Hansen in collaboration with Zitkala-S̈a. Includes promotional materials for the performance of the opera and a copyright document. Dated 1913-1938.

Dates: 1913-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Zitkala-S̈a personal papers and writings

Zitkala-S̈a correspondence, 1891-1925

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 2
Scope and Contents From the Series:

(Including National Council of American Indians Material and other related documents).

Dates: 1891-1925
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Zitkala-S̈a personal and business correspondence

Zitkala-S̈a notebooks and travel logs, 1927-1935

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 1 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains travel logs and daily notes kept by Zitkala-S̈a. Discusses daily activities and travels in Arizona and California. Dated 1927-1935.

Dates: 1927-1935
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Zitkala-S̈a personal papers and writings

Zitkala-S̈a personal and business correspondence

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 2
Scope and Contents

(Including National Council of American Indians Material and other related documents).

Dates: 1906-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records

Zitkala-S̈a personal documents

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 1 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Zitkala-S̈a personal papers

Dates: 1906-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Zitkala-S̈a personal papers and writings

Zitkala-S̈a personal papers and writings

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 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: 1906-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records

Zitkala-S̈a unpublished writings and speeches, 1915-1928

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 1704 Series 1 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains unpublished speeches, articles, and essays by Zitkala-S̈a, dated after 1915 to 1928.

Dates: 1915-1928
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / National Council of American Indians records / Zitkala-S̈a personal papers and writings

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.