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 85 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President records on statistics, 1952-1954
Contains reports and statistics on higher education, Utah schools, and marriage, dated between 1952 to 1954.
Office of the President records on television and radio, 1951-1956
Consists of reports, correspondence and memos concerning the television industry. Mainly dealing with the Utah Educational Television Foundation and studies on the effects of televison on education.
Office of the President records on universities, 1939-1956
Contains letters, memorandums, reports and assorted other materials concerning universities. Contains materials which compare and contrast programs and enrollment of the University of Utah, Utah State Agricultural College, and BYU. Also includes reports from the Utah legislative Council which describe higher education in Utah. Dated 1939 to 1956.
Office of the President records on universities, 1972
Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, printed materials, and news clippings on various other universities. Includes material on universities such as Rockford College, the University of Utah, and Weber State University. Dated 1972.
Office of the President records on university development, 1968
Contains letters, memos and other materials regarding agencies and donors that made financial contributions to BYU as well as various student scholarships. Much of the correspondence is between President Wilkinson, donors, and heads of agencies organizing donations. Dated 1968.
Office of the President records on university development, 1964-1971
Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, minutes, correspondence, and news clippings on the development of Brigham Young University. Includes material on development programs, fundraising, foundations, other financial matters, and correspondence with individuals. Dated 1971.
Office of the President records on university relations, 1968
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and members of various national, regional and state-wide academic councils and assemblies. Also includes reports of the associations' activity, as well as correspondence with leaders of other universities. Dated 1968.
Office of the President records on White House conferences, 1952-1956
Contains reports on the White House Conference on Education as well as legislative bills concerning federal aid to education. Also contains booklets of reports on education and statements on the philosophy of education. Most materials come from Washington D.C., although some concern Utah specifically. Dated 1952 to 1956.
Office of the President speeches, 1972
Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, and preparatory materials on speeches given by Ernest L. Wilkinson. Includes material prepared for speeches at miscellaneous groups and conventions. Dated 1972.
Office of the President speeches, 1973
Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, and other materials on the speaking engagements of Ernest L. Wilkinson. Dated 1973.