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 251 Collections and/or Records:
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1966
Contains letters, memos, reports, brochures and clippings on the topic of the BYU Alumni Association reviewing its financial contributions to BYU. Also contains memos to President Wilkinson about his speaking at a conference at Aspen Grove. Dated 1966.
Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1960-1963
Contains materials pertaining to alumnus of BYU. Includes memos, letters and reports about senior projects at BYU, awards, and fundraisers. Dated 1960 to 1963.
Office of the President records on Arab Development Society, 1962-1963
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Arab Development Society discussing daily operations and special circumstances of the program. Also contains reports about operations of the program. Dated 1962 to 1963.
Office of the President records on assemblies, 1951-1957
Correspondence about devotionals and assemblies discussing attendance, speakers, preparations and results. Agendas and attendance reports included. Dated 1951 to 1957.
Office of the President records on associations, 1965
Contains letters, reports and clippings about the BYU Women's Club, intruders at Aspen Grove, and the New World Archaeological Foundation (NFAW). Also contains a single letter of condolance as well as reports and articles on Mesoamerican archaeological excavations. Dated 1965.
Office of the President records on associations, 1952-1963
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others on the subject of various academic associations to which BYU belongs. Also contains reports, conference materials and news from these associations. Dated 1952 to 1963.
Office of the President records on associations, 1955-1960
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.
Office of the President records on associations, 1961-1964
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others on the subject of various academic associations to which BYU belongs. Also contains reports, conference materials and news from these associations. Dated 1961 to 1964.
Office of the President records on associations, 1968
Contains lists of BYU approved organizations, reports and news clippings on BYU alumni activity, memos from President Wilkinson about Aspen Grove, and minutes and reports on the discoveries of the New Wrld Archaeological Foundation. Dated 1968.
Office of the President records on associations , 1969
Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, other BYU administrators and members of academic educational associations. Also contains reports of association activity, conferences and finances. Dated 1969.