Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 11.djvu/88

 149). Towards the middle of Henry II's reign he was possessed of the manors of Corf ham, Culminton, &c. in Shropshire. He was a benefactor to several monasteries, e.g. Haughmond, Dore, and Godstow (Monasticon, viii. 551; ).

Clifford's name occurs in the Welsh annals as lord of the castle of Llannymddyvri. He ravaged the lands of Rhys ap Gruffydd, who, finding his complaints to Henry II disregarded, surprised his castle (1157-9). In 1164 he is said to have slain Cadwgan, son of Maredudd (Brut, 118; Annales Cambriæ, p. 48). He was still living in 1187, and according to Eyton died in 1190. His children were Walter (d. 1220?), Richard, and William, and three daughters, Lucia, married to Hugo de Say, Amicia, married to Osbern FitzHugh, and [q. v.] The main part of the Clifford estates passed to Matilda, a great-granddaughter, wife of William Longespée, earl of Salisbury, whose daughter, Margery Longespée, brought them to her husband, Henry de Lacy, earl of Lincoln (d. 1311). Walter de Clifford's grandson Roger (d. 1231) was father of (d. 1285?) [q. v.]



CLIFFORD, WILLIAM (d. 1670), divine, was son of Henry Clifford of Brackenborough, Lincolnshire, and Elizabeth Thimelbey of Irnham, Lincolnshire, who in her widowhood retired to the monastery of English nuns at Louvain, and became a religious. He was lineally descended from the ancient family of the Cliffords, who were first created barons and afterwards earls of Cumberland. By right of succession the barony, though not the earldom, fell to him, and he might have assumed the title of Lord Clifford, but his humility prevented him from asserting his claim. He received his education in the English college at Douay, and after being ordained priest he was sent back on the mission. Subsequently he was made rector of the English college at Lisbon. He was next constituted superior of Tournay College at Paris, which Cardinal Richelieu had granted to the Bishop of Chalcedon for the education of the English clergy. In 1660 he was placed on the list for the episcopal dignity; but he declined this honour, as he also did in 1670 the offer of the presidentship of Douay College. During the latter years of his life he resided in the Hôpital des Incurables at Paris, where he spent the greater part of his time in ministering to the wants of the poor inmates. He died on 30 April 1670, and was buried in the churchyard belonging to the hospital.

His works are:
 * 1) 'Christian Rules proposed to a Vertuous Soule aspiring to Holy Perfection, whereby shee may regulate both her Time and Actions for the obtaining of her happy end,' Paris, 1655, 1659, 1665, 12mo. Dedicated to Mrs. Ursula Clifford.
 * 2) 'The Spiritual! Combat, worthily termed a Golden Treatise of Christian Perfection. Translated out of the truest coppies in severall languages by R. R. With a Letter of S. Eucnerius, Bishop of Lyons, &c, to Valerian,' Paris, 1656, 48mo. Dedicated to Walter Montagu, abbot of St. Martin at Pontoise; second dedication to Mrs. Ursula Clifford.
 * 3) 'A little Manual of the Poor Man's Dayly Devotion,' 2nd edit. Paris, 1670, 12mo; 4th edit. London, 1687, 12mo; 5th edit. (London?) 1705, 8vo; frequently reprinted. # 'Observations upon all the Kings' Reigns since the Conquest,' manuscript.
 * 4) 'Collections concerning the Chief Points of Controversy,' manuscript.



CLIFFORD, WILLIAM KINGDON (1845–1879), mathematician, was born on 4 May 1845 at Exeter. His father, William Clifford, was a well-known citizen of the town. His mother, whose maiden name was Kingdon, died in September 1854. He was a very precocious child. He was educated at Mr. Templeton's school at Exeter until 1860, when he was sent to King's College, London. Here he showed marked ability in classical and literary, as well as in mathematical studies. In October 1863 he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, having won a minor scholarship. His mathematical genius was at once recognised, and the most competent judges anticipated that he would rise to the highest place among contemporary men of science. His private tutor was Mr. Percival Frost. His originality led him to diverge from the regular course of study to independent researches. Like other eminent mathematicians, Whewell, Sylvester, Sir William Thomson, and Clerk Maxwell, he was second in the mathematical tripos. He was also second Smith's prizeman. He had become known for other qualities to his fellow-students. He took a boyish pride in his gymnastic prowess. Though slight, he was well made, and his great nervous energy enabled him to perform remarkable feats. He could pull up on the bar with either hand,' and once hung by his toes from the cross-bar of a weathercock on a church-tower. Praise of