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 88 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President records on publications, 1956-1958
Contains copies of BYU publications such as campus bulletins, the Daily Universe, and BYU catalogs as well as memos and letters discussing these publications. Dated 1956 to 1958.
Office of the President records on research, 1971
Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, and news clippings on research at Brigham Young University. Includes new articles and other material on the topic of institutional research. Dated 1971.
Office of the President records on Salt Lake Theatre, 1956-1958
Contains letters and memorandums inquiring about the state of the BYU and University of Utah theater facilities. Also contains photocopies of clippings and reports about theater facilities. Dated 1956 to 1958.
Office of the President records on secretaries, 1972
Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos to secretaries at Brigham Young University. Dated 1972.
Office of the President records on state institutions, 1963
Contains clippings as well as letters and reports from a special committee on school finances to the Board of Governors in Salt Lake City about university funds. Dated 1963.
Office of the President records on state institutions, 1961-1962
Contains memos, letters, reports and news clippings about the need for school facilities. Dated 1961 to 1962.
Office of the President records on United Nations, 1959-1962
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and BYU faculty about the United Nations. Also contains clippings and articles about the United Nations. Dated 1959 to 1962.
Office of the President records on universities, 1963
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and representatives of other universities. Also contains articles about other universities, especially the University of Utah. Dated 1963.
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, 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.