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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 86 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on associations, 1970

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 13 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Conatains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson, of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, policy and procedures, reports, and newsclippings regarding associations and organizations such as the Alumni Association, New World Archeological Foundation, and the Women's Club. Dated 1970.

Dates: 1970

Office of the President records on associations, 1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 15 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

Contains the presidential papers of Ernest L. Wilkinson span the years 1949 to 1975. They cover his pre-appointment period to the presidency, his presidential administration and his post-presidential activities. The collection documents University activities, programs, policies and procedures, and public relations with other universities, national, state and local organizations. It contains correspondence, memos, reports, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and related materials.

Dates: 1972

Office of the President records on Auxiliary Services and academic aids, 1971

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 14 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

Contains the presidential papers of Ernest L. Wilkinson span the years 1949 to 1975. They cover his pre-appointment period to the presidency, his presidential administration and his post-presidential activities. The collection documents University activities, programs, policies and procedures, and public relations with other universities, national, state and local organizations. It contains correspondence, memos, reports, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and related materials.

Dates: 1971

Office of the President records on Auxiliary Services and academics, 1967-1970

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 13 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Conatains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson, of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, policy and procedures, reports, and newsclippings regarding auxilary services and academics at Brigham Young University, such as university housing, the Campus Planning Committee, university publications, university buildings, safety, and campus security. Dated 1970.

Dates: 1967-1970

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

Office of the President records on Catholic Church, 1951

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Correspondence regarding obtaining a copy of the Pope's address on the topic of birth control, as well as the article. Also includes correspondence regarding Catholic student's requirements. Dated 1951.

Dates: 1951

Office of the President records on Catholic Church, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and clippings discussing the growth of the Catholic church and ex-catholic priests. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on Church Educational System, 1971

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 14 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos and correspondence on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints school system. Includes material on topics such as Rick's College, Chruch College of Hawaii, and correspondence with Neal Maxwell. Dated 1971.

Dates: 1971

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1949-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Ernest L. Wilkinson and local and general authority Church leaders concerning seminaries, institutes, student wards, events, etc. Dated 1949 to 1957.

Dates: 1949-1957

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1970

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 13 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Conatains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson, of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, policy and procedures, reports, and newsclippings regarding Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders and organizations at at Brigham Young University, such as memebers of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First Presidency, Geneological Society, bishops, stakes, and missions. Dated 1970.

Dates: 1970