Born in St. Louis, Missouri. Graduate of Yale University in 1932. Married Lucetta Rathbone Andrews in 1933. They had a son and a daughter. He was a partner with A. M. Clifford & Associates 1939 to 1956 and proprietor 1956 to 1973. Partner with Clifford Associates 1974 to 1977. He served as consultant to the firm after 1977. Clifford served as lieutenant commander in the Naval Air Corps in World War II.

Clifford was a student of western history and collected items relating to that field. He purchased the John Murrell collection in 1963. His collection of pioneer gold was sold to the Kagins about 1974. It was displayed at the San Francisco Mint after 1974. His extensive collection of California gold, western history numismatics and literature was sold at auction by Bowers and Ruddy March 18-20, 1982. One highlight of the sale was an 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. $50 gold described as extremely fine. It realized $20,900.

Author of Pioneer Gold Coinage of the West 1848-61 in 1961. He died in Pasadena, California.

bio: International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who 1983 profile: NN/WWH 2/5/83 obit:: CW 3/28/94