clarke left new zealand for hobart and early in 1847 sailed to london and entered at highbury college. he was ordained in the union chapel, islington in 1851, and at once returned to hobart to become minister of the collins street church. soon a larger church was built in davey street, and for over 50 years he remained its pastor, honoured and beloved by all and never losing his appeal to the younger people. he took much interest in higher education, and was a member of the tasmanian council of education for many years from 1878 and its president 1880–81. he was also a member of the royal society of tasmania and a promoter of the hobart debating and literary association. he was one of the founders of the university of tasmania, its first vice-chancellor from may 1890 to may 1898, and chancellor from may 1898 to may 1907, when he retired. he had retired from his church work in 1904. he died at hobart on 10 march 1913. apart from his "notes on early life in new zealand", which appeared in 1903, clarke's only publications were some separately published sermons and addresses and a small collection of "short liturgies for congregational worship". he also wrote the memoir of james backhouse walker prefixed to his "early tasmania". clarke married a daughter of henry hopkins and was survived by two sons and four daughters.