William Lawrence Adrian

William Lawrence Adrian (April 16, 1883 – February 13, 1972) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church.

[1] Following his return to the United States, he served as a professor at St. Ambrose College for twenty-four years and as its vice president from 1932 to 1935; Adrian also coached American football and baseball, and taught Latin and manual training.

On February 2, 1936, Adrian was appointed the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Nashville by Pope Pius XII.

"[2] Adrian received his episcopal consecration on April 16, 1936, from Archbishop Amelto Cicognani at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa.

[1] Adrian, who became known as a "man who gets things done," oversaw the creation of several parishes, acquisition of a new episcopal residence in East Nashville, Tennessee, remodeling of the Cathedral, and establishment of a diocesan newspaper and the National Council of Catholic Women.