Clark was born at Datchet on 5 April 1780. His mother Elizabeth (b abt 1753) was a daughter of John Sale the elder (b 1724 Gainsborough, according to his Grave Stone at Street Georges Chapel, Windsor) a lay clerk of Saint George"s Chapel, Windsor, where Clark was admitted at an early age as chorister, under Theodore Aylward.
He also sang at Eton College, under Stephen Heather. He also acted as deputy-organist for J. Stafford Smith. In 1827 he became a vicar choral of Saint Paul"s Cathedral and in the following year a lay clerk at Westminster Abbey.
He advocated that the singing men and choristers of cathedrals should regain ancient privileges, of which in over time they had been deprived.
During his life, Clark kept a scrap book which is held at the Westminster Abbey Archives. This large scrap book with a blue outer covering contains letters, and details of various committee meetings held concerning the planning of the Coronation of William The 4th, George the Fourth, Queen Victoria, and the Installation of the Knights of the Bath.
Clark died suddenly at the Litlington Tower, Westminster Abbey, on 5 October 1856.
On 3 July 1814 he was elected a member of the Royal Society of Musicians.
