Thomas Fife Clark was born at Thornaby-on-Tees, Yorkshire, 29 May 1907, the son of Thomas Fife Clark and Jane Nevison. He was educated at Middlesbrough High School. He married Joan Mould in 1945 (died 1977), with whom he had two sons and one daughter.

He worked as a journalist for the provincial newspapers owned by Westminster Press, 1924-39, eventually becoming the parliamentary and diplomatic correspondent. He was a press officer in the Ministry of Health, 1939-49. He became Home Controller, 1949-52, and Director-General, 1954-71, of the Central Office of Information, a successor to the wartime Ministry of Information. He also advised the Prime Minister on public relations, 1952-5, and the Earl Marshal on arrangements for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 1953.

He retired in 1971 and acted as a consultant to several organisations, including the Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations, 1971-5, and Trident Television, 1976-8. He died on 28 March 1985.

He was awarded a knighthood, 1965.