Wilkinson, Ernest L., 1899-1978
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, 1971Deem, 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 8 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President recommendations, 1959-1962
Contains letters from BYU students and alumni requesting letters of recommendation from President Wilkinson. Also contains memos and letters on the topic of letters of recommendation. Dated 1959 to 1962.
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1965
Contains memos and letters about alumni associations, alumni fundraising and donations. Also contains Brigham Young Alumnus magazine. Dated 1965.
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1964
Contains letters and memos concerning BYU alumnus. Topics include Aspen Grove, personnel and condolences. Dated 1964.
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1958-1962
Contains letters and memos regarding alumni donations to BYU as well as materials on the 1962 senior class and Aspen Grove. Dated 1958 to 1962.
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1960-1963
Contains materials pertaining to alumnus of BYU. Includes memos, letters and reports about senior projects at BYU, awards, and fundraisers. Dated 1960 to 1963.
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1959
Contians letters and memos between President Wilkinson and BYU alumni. Dated 1959
Office of the President records on public relations, 1951-1961
Contains letters, memos and reports on the subjects of BYU alumni, speakers at public events, public relations and press, and fund raising. Dated 1951 to 1961.
Office of the President records on William P. Knecht, 1961-1962
Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and William Knecht, an alumnus of BYU and MIT, discussing ideas for the Church School System. Dated 1961 to 1962.