William Andrews Clark Jr.

William Andrews Clark Jr. was an American businessman, philanthropist, and noted bibliophile who played a pivotal role in the cultural development of Southern California. The son of Montana copper magnate and U.S. Senator William A. Clark Sr., he leveraged his inherited wealth to found major institutions, most notably the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra. His enduring legacy is cemented by his extraordinary collection of rare books and manuscripts, which formed the core of the Clark Library at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Early life and family

Born in Butte, Montana, he was the son of Katherine Stauffer and the immensely wealthy William A. Clark Sr., a key figure in the Anaconda Copper Mining Company and later a controversial Senator. He grew up amidst the vast fortune generated by the Copper Kings of Montana, which included periods living in the family's opulent residences in New York City and Washington, D.C.. After his mother's early death, his father married Mary Andrews Clark, and the family's social standing was cemented by their father's contentious election to the United States Senate in 1899. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and later graduated from Yale University, where he developed a lifelong passion for literature and music.

Business career

Though he did not need to build a fortune, he actively managed his inherited interests and investments, which included significant holdings in Montana mining, banking, and railroads. He served as a director of the United Verde Copper Company and other family-controlled enterprises, ensuring the continued flow of wealth that funded his philanthropic ambitions. In the early 20th century, he moved permanently to Los Angeles, California, where he became a prominent figure in the city's burgeoning business and real estate community, investing in the region's rapid growth.

Philanthropy and cultural contributions

His most transformative philanthropic act was the founding of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1919, providing the crucial financial guarantee that brought the orchestra to life under its first music director, Walter Henry Rothwell. A passionate bibliophile, he amassed one of the finest private collections of English literature in the world, with exceptional strengths in the works of Oscar Wilde, John Dryden, and Henry Fielding, as well as important incunabula and manuscripts. In 1926, he established the Clark Library in West Adams, designed by Robert D. Farquhar, to house his collection and make it available to scholars. He also provided substantial support to the University of California and was a major donor to the Los Angeles Orphans' Home.

Personal life

In 1901, he married Mabel Foster, and the couple had two children, William Andrews Clark III and Mabel Clark. They maintained residences in New York City and later built a grand estate in Los Angeles, California. Known for his refined tastes, he was a quiet and scholarly contrast to his more flamboyant father, preferring the company of books and musicians to the political fray. His later years were dedicated to curating his library and supporting the cultural institutions he helped establish until his death in Los Angeles in 1934.

Legacy

His legacy is profoundly cultural, centered on the world-class institutions he endowed. The Los Angeles Philharmonic grew into one of the preeminent orchestras in the United States, performing at venues like the Hollywood Bowl and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Clark Library, bequeathed to the University of California, Los Angeles, remains a premier research center for Early Modern studies, hosting fellowships and academic programs. Through these contributions, he played an indispensable role in elevating Los Angeles from a regional outpost to a major center for the performing arts and scholarly research.

Category:American philanthropists Category:American businesspeople Category:People from Los Angeles Category:Yale University alumni