Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Clifton, Robert Cox
CLIFTON, ROBERT COX (1810–1861), canon of Manchester, the son of a clergyman who was many years British chaplain at Bruges, was born at Gloucester on 4 Jan. 1810. The earlier part of his education was received under his father's care at Worcester, and in 1830 he went to Oxford, where he matriculated at Worcester College. He proceeded B.A. in 1831 and M.A. in 1834, and took holy orders in 1833, at the hands of the bishop of Oxford. In 1833 he was elected fellow of his college. Before taking his first curacy, which was in Berkshire, he spent some time in Oxford as a tutor. In 1837 he was appointed to the office of clerk in orders at the Manchester Collegiate Church, and on 6 Dec. 1843 was elected to a fellowship by the collegiate chapter. When the church was elevated to cathedral dignity he became a canon. In 1843 he was instituted to the rectory of Somerton in Oxfordshire, which benefice he held, concurrently with his Manchester preferment, till his death. He took a very active part in the administration of public charities and religious societies in Manchester, and was a trustee of Owens College, in which college his son, Robert Bellamy Clifton, was for some time professor of experimental philosophy. Clifton was an admirable man of business and an influential and useful member of the cathedral chapter. He published several occasional sermons and pamphlets, among which are: 'A Letter to the Rev. Dr. Hook on the subject of National Education' (1846, 8vo); 'The Collegiate Church of Manchester from its foundation in 1422 to the present time, with Observations on the proposed Bill for the Subdivision of the Parish of Manchester, and for the Appropriation of the Revenues of the Chapter' (1850, 8vo). He died at his rectory at Somerton on 30 July 1861, aged 51.
[Raines's MSS. in the Chetham Library, xiii. 187; Manch. Guardian, 3 Aug. 1861; Manch. Courier, same date; Manch. Free Library Catalogue.]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.70
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
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