Thomas M. (Thomas March) Clark

Born on July 4, 1812, Thomas March Clark was an American Episcopal bishop whose career stretched across most of the 19th century. He became Bishop of Rhode Island in 1854 and remained in that role until his death in 1903, giving him an unusually long and steady influence on the church.

Late in life, he also served as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, from 1899 to 1903. That placed him in one of the denomination’s highest leadership roles at a time when the American church was expanding and redefining itself.

Clark is remembered as a prominent Episcopal prelate of his generation and as a durable church leader whose public service lasted almost half a century in Rhode Island alone. He died on September 7, 1903.