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 110 Collections and/or Records:
Centennial History Project topical source files, 1864-1974
Contains topical files, including biographical and historical sketches, articles of incorporation, periodicals, minutes, statistics, journal and diary extracts, minutes of meetings, published information, personal histories, biographical sketches, research notes, and some correspondence on a wide variety of topics. Materials date from between 1864 and 1974.
Correspondence and reminiscences about Franklin S. Harris administration, 1973-1974
Contains correspondence and personal reminiscences of Brigham Young University during Franklin S. Harris' time as university president. Materials dated 1973 to 1974.
Ernest L. Wilkinson correspondence and minutes, 1962-1969
Contains minutes, reports, and other material by Wilkinson, dating from 1962 to 1969.
Ernest L. Wilkinson papers on Inwood Manor construction, 1917-1978
Contains correspondence, change orders, memos and other material related to the construction of Inwood Manor. Dated 1917-1978.
Ernest L. Wilkinson personal correspondence, 1970-1978
Contains personal correspondence by Wilkinson. Materials date from between 1970 and 1978.
Heber G. Wolsey Administrative Council records
Includes correspondence concerning policies and procedures of the Board of Trustees, colleges and departments, committees, research, Auxiliary Services, Church School System, Public Relations, office of university programs, University Relations, students, and Communication Services.
Heber G. Wolsey files on athletic relations with University of Washington (re: the Black Issue), 1970-1971
Contains various files and records.
Heber G. Wolsey policy, procedure and correspondence files, 1957-1971
Contains various files and records.
Christen Jensen papers
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.
Office of the President correspondence, 1952-1975
Contains bound volumes of correspondence from the Office of the President. Dated 1952 to 1975.