CLIFFORD, WILLIAM JOSEPH. – English prelate, born on 24 Dec. 1823 at Irnham (diocese of Nottingham), died in 1893 at Both. Elected bishop of Clifton in Feb. 1857, he governed this diocese until his death. He took part in the First Vatican Council and opposed the definition of the dogma of papal infallibility. Upon returning to his homeland, he was at first undecided about the attitude to adopt, but on 3 Dec. 1870 he finally communicated to Cardinal Barnabò, prefect of Propaganda, his adherence to what the Council had defined. C. is also known for an original interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis, published in Apr. 1881 in the Dublin Review (The days of the week and the works of creation, pp. 311–32).
BIBL.: On the action undertaken by C. during the First Vatican Council, cf. T. Granderath, Geschichte des wathanischen Konzils, Freiburg im Br. 1903–1906, passim. Silvio Furlani