William L. Clements Library (1923)
William L. Clements (1882, LLD 1934hon) was a regent of the University of Michigan (1910-1933) whose
life-long avocation was the collection of books, maps and related materials on American History from
1492 to 1800. In 1922, he donated to the university his substantial collection of rare books, early
newspapers, manuscripts, and maps. He felt that the preservation of such works and their availability
for scholarly research would be of great benefit to humankind. He also donated the funds for a building
to house the William Clements Library of American History. Designed by noted Detroit architect Albert Kahn,
the Clements Library Building was built of Indiana limestone, and completed in 1923. An expression of the
Italian Renaissance style, the building was based on a sixteenth century Italian casino and reflected the
elegance of the hillside palaces of Genoa, the port from which Columbus sailed. After a distinguished career,
Albert Kahn said he desired most to be remembered as the architect of the Clements Library.
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