Painter and teacher. Clarke studied at Slade School of Fine Art, then from 1947–79 lectured at Edinburgh College of Art. Shortly after World War II he and his wife visited Connemara, where he completed a remarkable series of pictures featuring local people in their houses. After retirement Clarke painted portraits and landscapes and did work for churches, including a set of windows in engraved glass. He was a member of RSW and RP and had solo shows with Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, where he lived. Scottish Arts Council, University of Edinburgh and Dunfermline Art Gallery hold his work.