Clement Richardson (1878–December 1949) was an American professor, college president, and author. An African American, he served as president of Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri from 1918 until 1922.^[1] He edited The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race^[2] which includes a profile on him.^[3]

Clement Richardson was born in 1878 in Halifax County, Virginia.^[4] He attended White Oak Grove Country School and tilled tobacco.^[3] He moved to Massachusetts for access to more education, initially working in tanning and farming, before attending the boys' school at Mount Hermon School (now Northfield Mount Hermon School).^[2][5]

For three years he attended Brown University, before transferring.^[2] Richardson graduated from Harvard University in 1907, one six African Americans graduating that year.^[6][4]

Richardson worked as a correspondent for many newspapers and magazines including The Boston Daily Globe;^[7] work that continued throughout his entire life.

He was the director of the department of English literature and rhetoric of Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1908.^[8] In 1908, Richardson joined the faculty of Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) as the head of the English department.^[2][5] He wrote a pamphlet titled "Extension Work" while at Tuskegee Institute.^[9]

From 1918 to 1922, Richardson served as the president of Lincoln Institute.^[1][10] Lincoln Institute became Lincoln University during his tenure as its president.^[11] In 1919, he was participant at a convention of African American educators in Jefferson City, many of the presentations were affiliated to the Negro Educational Congress.^[12] In 1919, he missed a Negro State Teachers event due to coal shortages at the school and in Missouri.^[13]

In 1922 he was to visit Richmond, Virginia.^[14]

The Clement Richardson Fine Arts Center was building was constructed at Lincoln University in 1956.^[15] The auditorium / theater wing was under construction in 1958.^[16] The Arts Center has hosted events.^[17][18]

• Richardson, Clement (June 12, 1915). "Notable Work of Southern School". The Denver Star. p. 4 – via Chronicling America.; about Tuskegee Institute's 34th year of existence
• Richardson, Clement (June 12, 1915). "Notable Work of Southern School". The Twin City Star. p. 1 – via Chronicling America.
• Richardson, Clement (July 1, 1916). "Tuskegee Makes Steady Advance". The Denver Star. p. 7 – via Chronicling America.; about commencement as Tuskegee Institute various related events
• Richardson, Clement (August 24, 1917). "Negro Farm Agents Doing Their Share to Win the War". The Nashville Globe. p. 3 – via Chronicling America.
• The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, editor

Richardson was married in 1908 to Ida J. Rivers, and had four daughters.^[5] He died in December 1949.^[4]

• Inman E. Page, the first African American to serve as president of Lincoln Institute