William A. (William Alvin) Clemens

author

William A. (William Alvin) Clemens

1932–2020

A leading expert on fossil mammals, he spent decades at UC Berkeley helping reshape how scientists understand early mammal evolution. His work focused especially on the Cretaceous period and the survival of mammals across the age of dinosaurs.

1 Audiobook

Records of the Fossil Mammal Sinclairella, Family Apatemyidae, From the Chadronian and Orellan

Records of the Fossil Mammal Sinclairella, Family Apatemyidae, From the Chadronian and Orellan

by William A. (William Alvin) Clemens

About the author

Born in Berkeley, California, on May 15, 1932, he became one of the most respected vertebrate paleontologists of his generation. He earned all his degrees at the University of California, Berkeley, later joining the faculty there and serving as a curator at the UC Museum of Paleontology.

His research centered on early mammals, especially Cretaceous fossil mammals, and he was widely recognized as a major authority on mammalian evolution in the Mesozoic era. At Berkeley he also took on leadership roles, including directing the museum and chairing the Department of Paleontology.

He died in Berkeley on November 17, 2020. Remembered by colleagues as a generous scholar and teacher as well as a pioneering scientist, he left a lasting mark on paleontology and on generations of students and researchers.