CLARKE, RICHARD FREDERICK. - English Jesuit writer, b. in London on 24 Jan. 1839, d. in York on 10 Sept. 1900. After sound studies at Oxford, he had been ordained a minister in the Anglican Church; he was then received, in 1869, into the Catholic Church and two years later into the novitiate of the Society of Jesus at Roehampton. Ordained priest in 1878, from 1882 to 1893 he edited the journal The Month and during this period displayed his gifts as a writer, preacher (especially of spiritual retreats), and spiritual director.
For the series of Manuals of Catholic Philosophy he then wrote the volume Logic (London 1889, reprinted in 1933), one of the best. Rector for two years in London (Wimbledon College), he then went to Oxford (1895), where he became superior of the new house for ecclesiastical students (Campion Hall): the former oxfordman exerted great influence there. Besides many journal articles, he wrote several highly esteemed booklets for the famous Catholic Truth Society.