CLIFFORD, William Joseph. - English prelate, b. 24 Dec. 1823 at Irnham (diocese of Nottingham), d. in 1893 at Bath. Elected Bishop of Clifton in Feb. 1857, he governed that diocese until his death. He took part in the Vatican Council and opposed the definition of the dogma of papal infallibility. Upon his return to England, he was at first undecided about the stance to adopt, but on 3 Dec. 1870 he communicated to Cardinal Barnabò, Prefect of the Propaganda, his acceptance of what the Council had defined.
C. is also known for an original interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis, which appeared in April 1881 in the Dublin Review (The days of the week and the works of creation, pp. 311-32).
BIBL.: On C.’s role during the Vatican Council, cf. T. Granderath, Geschichte des vatikanischen Konzils, Freiburg im Br. 1903-1906, passim. Silvio Furlani.