Composer, probably born in London, England, UK. He studied under John Blow at the Chapel Royal, and became organist of Winchester College in 1692, and of St Paul's Cathedral three years later, following his master at the Chapel Royal in 1704. The real composer of the Trumpet Voluntary long attributed to Purcell, Clarke wrote operas, theatre music, religious and secular choral works, and music for harpsichord. He committed suicide as the result of an unhappy love affair.