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 24 Collections and/or Records:
Oral history interview with J. Smith Jacobs
Typescripts of an oral history conducted as part of the Brigham Young University Archives Joint Oral History Project of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club. Jacobs tells about attending Brigham Young University from 1928 to 1930 and gives his impressions of the university presidents, Enest L. Wilkinson and Franklin S. Harris.
Oral history interview with James R. Clark
Interview by Alonzo J. Morley with James R. Clark concerning his professional assignments, his work on the Centennial History Project, and his involvement with the Indian Institute program. Also discusses his early life and education. Includes transcript and sound recording.
Oral history interview with Janet M. Izatt
Transcript of interview by Hollis Scott with Jan Izatt, secretary to Ernest Wilkinson. Includes comments about Wilkinson's personality and work habits, and about her experiences working for Wilkinson.
Oral history interview with Joseph Smith Jarvis
Oral history interview with Kiefer B. Sauls
Interview by Mark K. Allen with Kiefer Sauls, Brigham Young University treasurer, purchasing agent and secretary to three presidents. Topics cover his association with BYU in those capacities over a 51 year period, childhood reminiscences and family data. Includes sound recording and transcript. Also includes related transcription materials and 16 page transcript of an incomplete interview with Sauls by Celestia Taylor, October 10, 1978.
Oral history interview with Loren C. Bryner
Interview by Jay Beck with Loren Bryner concerning his schooling, employment at Brigham Young University and Kennecott, and his involvement in science organizations. Includes sound recordings and transcript.
Oral history interview with Richard Edmond Bennett
Interview by David Whittaker with Richard Bennett, historian, discussing his role and responsibilities relating to the research and writing of the Brigham Young University Centennial History, including opinions on co-workers on the project. Includes transcript and sound recording.
Oral history interview with Robert Edwon Riggs
Oral history conducted by Arthur R. Watkins as part of the Brigham Young University Archives Joint Oral History Project of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club on September 8, 1992. Riggs talks about his education, his law career, his employment at Brigham Young University, and his disagreements with the president of Brigham Young University, Ernest L. Wilkinson. Includes transcript and sound recording.
Oral history interview with Russel B. Swensen
Interview by Mark K. Allen with Russel B. Swensen, Brigham Young University professor of Medieval history and comparative religion, concerning his family life, hobbies, education, early employment, Mormon mission to Germany, athletic participation, Seminary, and teaching at BYU. Swensen gives his impressions of several BYU presidents, and discusses his philosophy of teaching. Includes sound recording and transcript.
Oral history interview with Thomas E. Cheney
Interview by J. Roman Andrus with Tom Cheney, Brigham Young University English professor, concerning his teaching experience, his relationship with the faculty and administration, and his paper concerning African Americans and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and subsequent controversy. Includes sound recording and transcript.