William Lawrence Clements (1861–1934) was an American businessman and collector of historical works; founder, and donor to the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan. In addition, Clements donated more than twenty-million-dollars throughout his life to the University, oversaw a successful business career in the manufacturing and banking industry, and served as a regent of the University of Michigan for twenty-four years. Early life and schooling William Clements was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 1, 1861 to James and Agnes (Macready) Clements. His father James was a professor at the University of Michigan during a time of great expansion and as such, young William witnessed the University's early development. James Clements rented the family's State Street home from the University, which existed next to the Michigan Union. William Clements grew up on the Ann Arbor campus and attended the Ann Arbor public schools. He later matriculated into the University of Michigan in the year 1878 when he was 17. He studied Mechanical Engineering through the College of Literature and Arts due to the fact that the engineering college had not yet been created. Clements also joined Chi Psi Fraternity, Alpha Epsilon chapter at University of Michigan. Clements graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and was later bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate in Law (LL.D.) in 1934. Family Clements was married on February 7, 1887 in Pittsburgh to Jessie N. Young, a daughter of one of the prominent families of that city. Together they had three children—two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son, Wallace William Clements was born on September 2, 1889 and followed his father's footsteps and graduated from the University of Michigan. Their daughter Elizabeth M. Clements born on September 9, 1891 went on to marry Harry S. Finkenstaedt and lived in Detroit. Their last son, James R. Clements, born on November 2, 1897 died in France while serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War I. William Clements additionally had four grandchildren. Clements had one sister, Ida (Clements) Wheat, who later lived in Detroit with her husband. The two went on to have one son, a nephew of William who admired him very much and spoke fondly about William at his funeral. Clements married a second time on April 22, 1931 to Florence Kathryn Fischer and then sailed to and honeymooned for an extended amount of time in Europe