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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 46 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on articles of incorporation, 1949-1953

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with the Board of Trustees regarding the articles of incorporation. A copy of the original deed for the university included. Record keeping dates from 1949 to 1953.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1949-1953
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on associations, 1948-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Ernest L. Wilkinson and other associations, councils, societies and departments regarding meetings, conventions, funds, and newsletters. Dates of record keeping from 1948 to 1956.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1948-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on associations, 1955-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains newsletters and reports from various national and Utah academic associations and their conferences. Also contains correspondence concerning relations and dealings with associations. Dated 1955 to 1960.

Dates: 1955-1960
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on associations , 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos with members of various associations including the Associated Rocky Mountain Universities and the Utah Conference on Higher Education. Also contains minutes from the meetings of these associations. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Board of Education, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains agendas and minutes from meetings of the Church Board of Education. Also contains memos from President Wilkinson discussing the board. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Brigham Young High School, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains memos from President Wilkinson on Brigham Young High School's graduation. Also contains a news clipping on awards won by students. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Brigham Young University, 1950-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos to and from President Wilkinson on various issues such as standards, women, high school, and the history of BYU. Dated 1950 to 1962.

Dates: 1950-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 20
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Church discussing Church organizations and BYU issues. Also contains reports on activities of church organizations. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1963-1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, Church general authorities, and BYU faculty on the topics of Church schools, proposed Church schools, and curriculum within these schools. Dated 1963-1965.

Dates: 1963-1965
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports about parts of the Church School System, including colleges, seminaries, and institutes. Dated 1964.

Dates: 1964
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

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