The son of Alured Clarke of Godmanchester in Huntingdonshire, by his second wife Ann, fourth daughter of the Rev.
[1][2] Clarke built up a good practice as barrister, and rebuilt the family house at Godmanchester.
In the new parliament of 1741 he was elected for Whitchurch in Hampshire, but in its second session in Hilary term, 1743, became a baron of the exchequer in place of Sir Thomas Abney.
At this time he was counsel to the admiralty, and auditor of Greenwich Hospital, where he was succeeded by Heneage Legge.
It was said to have been gaol distemper, caught at the Old Bailey, at the so-called "black sessions" that year.