Hal Clement (Harry Clement Stubbs) was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on May 30, 1922, to Harry Clarence Stubbs and Marjorie (White) Stubbs. He received his B.S. in astronomy from Harvard in 1943, an M. Ed. from Boston University in 1946 and an M.S. in chemistry from Simmons College in 1963. He entered the Army Air Corps Reserve and flew 35 combat missions as copilot and pilot in Liberator (B-24) bombers with the 8th Air Force during WWII.

After retiring from active service, he taught for decades at Milton Academy. Clement was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America in 1999. Hal Clement, died in his sleep on October 29, 2003, at his home in Milton, Massachusetts.